The Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office has initiated pre-trial proceedings based on media reports alleging potential abuses concerning the Road Infrastructure Agency and its free roadside assistance service. These proceedings involve questioning witnesses, requesting documents from the Road Infrastructure Agency, and conducting other evidence verification actions. The investigation, according to the prosecutor’s office, focuses on non-Ministry of Interior personnel.
The report suggests that in 2025, roadside assistance services under the agency’s purview were expanded, reportedly under pressure from the national police. The core allegation involves an alleged scheme for the unlawful subcontracting of road maintenance activities, purportedly diverting at least BGN 14 million (over EUR 7 million) monthly. Specifically, the publication claims that since 2025, the Road Infrastructure Agency allegedly subcontracted the provision of 24/7 free roadside assistance to Unit Assist Ltd.
This company is further alleged to have unlawfully subcontracted the service to at least 11 other businesses. Furthermore, the report points to the owner of Unit Assist having a criminal background and alleges that no state institution publicly informed citizens about the existence of the free roadside service, despite its inclusion in road maintenance contracts since at least 2014. The article also cites internal sources alleging efforts by state institutions to impose a monopoly favoring Unit Assist, alongside pressure, threats, and extortion against victims of traffic accidents.
Separately, on April 9, caretaker Regional Development Minister Nikolay Naydenov stated that the state is withdrawing from what he termed a non-core activity. He indicated that roadside assistance services would be left to competitive market forces, and the current practice requiring drivers to use a designated state-linked service would cease.
Topics: #road #free #roadside
