Bulgaria Govt Shuts Down Svilengrad Customs Office Unit

The Bulgarian cabinet on Wednesday approved a decision to close down the Customs Agency unit of Svilengrad, days after tens of customs officers were detained on suspicions of corruption.

In a press statement, the government says the move is aimed at "preventing corruption practices and improving work by optimizing human, financial and material resources".

An "Information Security Unit" will also be set up to exert control over the way security requirements are applied with regard to the information systems of the customs administration.

It will be in charge of "risk management in the administration in compliance with the network and information security goals".

Structural changes to the Customs Agency will be carried out with no changes to the number of staff.

Municipal councilors at Svilengrad on Tuesday voiced their dissent with the decision, calling into question the efficiency of such measures in the fight against corruption.