Alcoholic beverage

Tourists in Bulgaria's Black Sea Sunny Beach resort consume the astounding 20 tonnes of alcoholic beverages per day, according to a survey of Bulgarian Telegraph Daily.

Police in the northern port city of Thessaloniki were seeking a 53-year-old businessman over charges of running a contraband alcohol ring in the area of Kalamaria.

According to early reports, the suspect's company, which was officially trading in fabrics, had been allegedly transformed into a contraband alcohol bottling unit.

Bulgaria's Parliament adopted at first reading amendments to the Criminal Code, for increased penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Wednesday.

The amendments were introduced by the center-right opposition GERB party and were voted in favor by 101 Mps, 3 were "against" and 46 abstained.

Customs and Trade Ministry officials have denied that the retail draft law that requires all shopping malls to include places of worship will lead to an extension of alcohol restrictions.

As of Thursday, drivers who have had their permits or license plates confiscated by police for minor offenses can reclaim them so they can vote in the upcoming local and European elections.

This does not apply to drivers who have committed serious offenses such as driving under the influence of alcohol, breaking the speed limit or running a red light.