Serbia has responded through Interpol confirming that Petar Petrov, known as “Peppy Euro,” is not currently detained within its borders, Bulgaria’s Interior Minister Emil Dechev announced Wednesday.
According to Dechev, Serbian authorities checked their systems, including border control databases, and found no record of Petrov being arrested. The announcement comes after recent reports regarding the arrest of the former investigator, who fled the country in 2023.
Dechev as well commented on concerns about information leaks, suggesting that Petrov could have been apprehended in Bulgaria had the information not been compromised. He escaped authorities just minutes before a planned arrest related to a network of influence within the judiciary, often referred to as “The Eight Dwarfs.”
The Interior Minister also addressed the fact that Serbia is not a member of the European Union, and therefore a European Arrest Warrant for Petrov was not applicable, leading to the leverage of an Interpol notice. He stated that the success of such a request ultimately depends on the individual country and the strength of its law enforcement agencies.
The case underscores the challenges faced by authorities in pursuing individuals who have fled the country to avoid prosecution.
