Trial against Bulgarian Businessman Grisha Ganchev Kicks Off

The Specialized Criminal Court started on Tuesday the trial against Bulgarian businessman Grisha Ganchev.

Ganchev was indicted earlier this year with charges of tax evasion worth over BGN 711 000.

Along with nine others, he allegedly took part in an organized criminal gang.

Ganchev was also charged with death threat on Krasimir Stefanov, a former head of the National Revenue Agency.

However, Stefanov told journalists after the first sitting that he hadn't been threatened by Ganchev, the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) has said. Before court he declared he was not willing to be a side in the trial.

Grisha Ganchev is the owner of the Litex FC and the Litex Commerce company, based in the northern Bulgarian city of Lovech.

His Sofia-based company Litex Motors is the official partner for Bulgaria of China's Great Wall Motors and assembles its vehicles at a jointly developed facility in Lovech.

He was first arrested in 2012, but was later released on bail.