The Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office has initiated pre-trial proceedings following media reports alleging potential abuses concerning the Road Infrastructure Agency and the provision of free roadside assistance services. These proceedings involve questioning witnesses and requesting documents from the agency, alongside other evidence collection and verification actions. The investigation, according to the Prosecutor’s Office, is focused on non-Ministry of Interior employees.
The report suggests that in 2025, roadside assistance services managed by the agency were expanded, reportedly under pressure from the national police. The core allegation involves an alleged scheme of unlawful subcontracting of road maintenance activities, potentially diverting at least BGN 14 million per month (over EUR 7 million). Specifically, the publication claims that since 2025, the Road Infrastructure Agency has allegedly subcontracted the provision of 24/7 free roadside assistance for citizens to Unit Assist Ltd.
This company, in turn, is alleged to have unlawfully subcontracted the service to at least 11 other businesses. The report also points to the owner of Unit Assist’s criminal history and claims that no state institution has publicly notified citizens about the free roadside assistance service, despite its consistent inclusion in road maintenance contracts since at least 2014. Furthermore, the article alleges that state institutions attempted to impose a monopoly favoring Unit Assist, alongside pressuring competitors and extorting accident victims.
Separately, on April 9, caretaker Regional Development Minister Nikolay Naydenov announced the state’s withdrawal from what he termed a non-core activity, indicating that the current practice of mandating the use of a designated state-linked roadside service will cease, leaving the sector to competitive market forces.
Topics: #road #free #roadside
