Ten detained in a raid against vote-buying in Sofia (photos)

Ten people were detained in a raid against vote-buying in Sofia’s Hristo Botev district on October 7.

Shops and pawnshops that may be part of vote-trading schemes were checked.

Seven pre-trial proceedings were opened, Sofia Police Chief Lyubomir Nikolov said.

"We have launched a specialised police operation in the course of which we should uncover crimes related to conventional and household crime, as well as to the political rights of citizens. We have initiated 7 pre-trial proceedings related to the violation of the political rights of citizens and have detained 10 persons on this occasion. Separately, since early this morning we have detained 12 other people who possess and drive vehicles with drugs," Chief Commissioner Lyubomir Nikolov explained.

A party that submitted documents with false content to participate in the October 27 vote is being investigated, he also said adding that the party is not represented in the current Parliament.

The cost of a vote is between BGN 100 and 150, he said.