Delyan Peevski and the Magnitsky sanctions: what is being investigated
Why the US and UK sanctioned Delyan Peevski and other Bulgarians, what the 2026 flights dispute and Audit Office probe are about, and what both sides say.
These are US and UK government designations and allegations, not court convictions; everyone named is presumed innocent. Delyan Peevski, leader of the DPS party, has been under US Global Magnitsky sanctions since 2 June 2021 and UK anti-corruption sanctions since February 2023. In 2026 a dispute over his private flights led the Interior Ministry to contact the US Treasury and the National Audit Office to open a conflict-of-interest probe, which had not reported a decision as of 26 October 2026.
Why did the US and UK sanction Peevski?
On 2 June 2021 the US Treasury designated Peevski, gambling businessman Vassil Bojkov and former official Ilko Zhelyazkov, plus 64 linked companies, calling it the largest single-day Global Magnitsky action. The Treasury alleged that Peevski used influence peddling and bribes to shield himself from scrutiny and control key institutions. On 10 February 2023 the UK sanctioned the same three people, and the US added five more Bulgarians, including Vladislav Goranov, RFE/RL reported. BTA put the total at eight Bulgarian citizens in July 2026.
What is the 2026 flights dispute?
On 2 July 2026 Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev told parliament that Peevski had taken 227 flights from Sofia since 2018, 181 of them charters, and said a law firm had paid for six, BNT reported. He also said Peevski flew to Dubai with Constitutional Court judge Desislava Atanasova in April 2024; she denied it the next day.
Peevski said the flights “were paid for by me and my family” and that the minister had “unlawfully investigated” his private life (BNT). Asked how he paid while sanctioned, he said “no sanctions work in Bulgaria”, Novinite reported. Demerdzhiev has said the sanctions should be effective (BTA). DPS MP Hamid Hamid said the minister “lies to parliament”, arguing that operational-search actions targeted a person with immunity and that the report was incomplete (BTA).
What did the Interior Ministry agree with OFAC?
The ministry wrote to the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control offering evidence of possible sanctions evasion through front persons and companies (Novinite, 8 July). After meetings in Washington, Demerdzhiev told BTA on 20 July: “We agreed that evidence would be presented.” He added that only US authorities decide who is on the list.
What happens next?
On 31 July Demerdzhiev asked the Audit Office to check Peevski’s declarations, citing private flights mainly to Dubai possibly paid by third parties (Novinite). The office opened proceedings on 5 August with a three-month deadline that can be extended (BNT). Varna Pulse will report the decision when it is published.
What does it mean for Varna residents and visitors?
Nothing changes in daily life. The case matters for the wider corruption and rule-of-law debate and for the party landscape. Background on DPS and the Turkish community is in our page on Bulgaria–Turkey relations. The presidential runoff on 1 November is a separate vote.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Who is Delyan Peevski?
A Bulgarian MP and chairman of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS), described by the US Treasury in 2021 as a former MP and media owner.
How many Bulgarians are on the Magnitsky list?
Eight Bulgarian citizens, including Peevski, Vassil Bojkov and former finance minister Vladislav Goranov, according to BTA in July 2026.
What is the Audit Office checking?
Whether there is a conflict of interest, looking back three years at Peevski's declared assets and income, after a referral by Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev, BNT reported.
Has Peevski been convicted of anything?
No. The sanctions are US and UK government measures based on allegations, not court verdicts, and Varna Pulse found no conviction on these allegations as of 26 October 2026.
