Sofia, 9 April 1997 (RFE/RL) - Bulgaria's Interior Ministry today announced it is shutting down all private insurance companies operating in border areas.
An official at the Ministry, Lyutckan Lyutckanov, said at a news conference in Sofia yesterday that the insurance companies often overcharged tourists, forcing them to pay fees without explaining the services that were being provided. Lyutckanov said some of the companies were practicing open racketeering.
Lyutckanov said a number of government employees were also involved in the fraudulent operations.