Russia Raises Question About Bulgartabac

Source from:  Tobacco Reporter 04/16/2009

Bulgaria's attempts to privatize its state tobacco organization have possibly been dealt another blow. Russia could try to appropriate Bulgartabac, which it believes the former USSR obtained as part of World War II reparations and which it thinks Russia now owns, according to a Novinite report. The Russian government intends to 'restore its ownership' of Bulgartabac and many other properties outside Russia, Vladimir Kozin, the head of the Economic Department of the administration of the Russian President, reportedly told the Pari Daily. Meanwhile, a Bulgarian court has delayed until June 8 the trial against the chief executive of Bulgartabac, Hristo Lachev, who is charged with the misappropriation of funds and tax evasion, according to a separate Novinite report. Lachev has denied any wrongdoing. Enditem