The Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office has initiated pre-trial proceedings on its own initiative following media reports concerning potential misconduct involving the Road Infrastructure Agency and the provision of a free roadside assistance service. The investigation involves questioning witnesses and requesting documentation from the agency, among other evidence-gathering actions. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the inquiry is specifically focused on the activities of private individuals, rather than Ministry of Interior employees.
The reports suggest that following pressures from the national police in 2025, the scope of roadside assistance services managed by the agency was expanded. The core allegation centers on a scheme of unlawful subcontracting related to road maintenance activities, which is claimed to divert approximately BGN 14 million monthly (over EUR 7 million). Specifically, the allegations state that the Road Infrastructure Agency illegally subcontracted the provision of 24/7 free roadside assistance to Unit Assist Ltd.
This company is further accused of unlawfully subcontracting the service to at least 11 other businesses. The published report also highlights the owner’s criminal background and notes that no state institution appears to have publicly notified citizens about the free roadside service, despite its inclusion in road maintenance contracts dating back to at least 2014. Furthermore, the report cites claims of attempts by state institutions to impose a monopoly favoring Unit Assist, alongside allegations of pressuring competitors and extorting victims of road traffic accidents.
Separately, on April 9, caretaker Regional Development Minister Nikolay Naydenov stated that the state would withdraw from this non-core activity, leaving roadside assistance to competitive market forces and discontinuing the current practice of requiring drivers to use a designated state-linked service on the road.
Topics: #road #free #roadside
