Radev approves Peevski’s man as ambassador to the UAE

President Rumen Radev has coordinated the MFA’s proposal for a new ambassador to the UAE. This is Ivan Yordanov, current consul in Dubai. Yordanov’s appointment, however, will be in violation of the rules, as he has served two consecutive terms in Berlin and Dubai and now he is entitled to work “for the benefit of the family” in the Foreign Office in Bulgaria before being sent abroad again. The preparation and enforcement of this appointment is associated with the support and behind-the-scenes intervention of the oligarch Delyan Peevski, sanctioned under the Magnitsky Act.

Ivan Yordanov fell into the media spotlight after the notorious operation “Lamb against Dates”. In the midst of the coronavirus crisis in April 2020, Economy Minister Emil Karanikolov personally drove to Abu Dhabi with two planes of meat from the nearby company “Gradus” and dairy products of Peevski-controlled Lakrima. With the return flights, 12 tons of dates were brought, presented as “medical supplies” to fight the virus. This strange action was coordinated by our consul in Dubai.

After the outbreak of civil protests at the end of 2020, then-Prime Minister Borissov fired Karanikolov and two other ministers on the grounds that he had doubts about their ties with Peevski.

Under Yordanov’s supervision was also the tragic presentation of Bulgaria at “Expo 2020”, where the most personal place was the refrigerator with Peevski’s production from the company “Lakrima”, and as “the face of Bulgaria” was shown the wife of drug lord Hristofor Amanatidis – Taki. He also lives in Dubai and is considered close to Peevski, whose economic interests are closely linked to the Emirates.

After being appointed consul in Dubai, Ivan Yordanov did not submit the introductory property declaration to KPKONPI in time, which describes all his property. He did not file such a declaration and subsequently, thus avoiding describing what he owned. This is clear from a check on the website of the Anti-Corruption Commission.

Ivan Yordanov’s preparation for ambassador was preceded by a promotion to the rank of “advisor” in the Foreign Ministry in March this year, which is mandatory for taking an ambassadorial place.

Another clear sign that someone is preparing “its ambassador” in the UAE was the media salvo in media close to Peevski to praise the “good consul” who saved two Ukrainian “children”. The children are actually 20 years old, but swallowing another proxy of Peevski from the audience required a suitable legend.

The appointment is also a sign of a new stage in the relations between President Rumen Radev and the symbol of the behind-the-scenes oligarchic power Delyan Peevski. Three years ago, Radev claimed that Peevski and Borisov were “partners in business and politics.” By appointing a valuable Peevski cadre, Radev himself is obviously involved in this “orthodoxy”.

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