Members of Parliament have approved the confiscation of assets obtained through criminal activity, even when such assets are held or possessed by third parties acting in bad faith. The amendment to the Penal Code was adopted at its second and final reading. Under the new provisions, the state may seize assets if they are held by a spouse, a person in a de facto relationship with the offender, or any direct or collateral relative.

Additionally, Parliament has approved changes to the Criminal Procedure Code, allowing prosecutors to extend the investigation period to 12 months in complex cases. If this proves insufficient, the investigation may be extended by a further 6 months. Opposition parties have objected to the extension of these time limits.

Editor: Ivo Ivanov

Posted in English by E. Radkova