A major scandal has erupted in Gorna Oryahovitsa after a cryptocurrency farm was discovered inside the basement of the municipality building, Bulgarian National Television (BNT) reported.
The operation, which reportedly consisted of multiple mining computers, was found by administration officials during a routine inspection. Shocked by the discovery, Mayor Nikolay Rashkov immediately informed the police. The municipality later confirmed the existence of the hidden installation.
Forensics officers entered the premises soon after, and under the supervision of the Veliko Tarnovo District Prosecutor’s Office, a full-scale investigation was launched. Authorities are now working to establish who was behind the illicit mining activity, which appears to have been running undetected for years.
Initial reports suggest that the farm may have been operating for more than eight years, drawing electricity directly from the municipality’s supply without authorization. If confirmed, this would mean the local government unknowingly covered the power costs of the illegal operation for nearly a decade.
Investigators are considering various theories, including the possibility of insider involvement during previous administrations. According to unofficial information, former mayor Dobromir Dobrev was questioned by authorities late last night.
Dobrev reportedly denied any connection to the operation, stating that he had never visited the premises and was unaware of the farm’s existence.
Mayor Rashkov has called for complete transparency, stressing the importance of identifying those responsible. “This is a serious breach of trust and public resources. The investigation must determine how such an operation could continue for so long within a municipal building,” he said.
The discovery highlights growing concerns in Bulgaria over hidden cryptocurrency mining operations, which are often conducted illegally to avoid high energy costs. Such farms consume massive amounts of electricity, posing risks to infrastructure and burdening taxpayers when connected unlawfully to public grids.
Local residents have expressed shock over the revelations, with many questioning how the farm could remain hidden in a municipal building for such an extended period. Critics argue that oversight during previous administrations was insufficient, allowing the illegal operation to thrive undetected.
The prosecutor’s office has not yet revealed whether charges will be filed, but officials confirmed that multiple individuals will be questioned as part of the ongoing probe. Technical experts are also analyzing the seized equipment to determine the scale of the mining activity and potential financial gains.
As the investigation continues, the incident has raised uncomfortable questions about oversight, accountability, and corruption within municipal structures. For now, Gorna Oryahovitsa residents await answers on how one of Bulgaria’s most unusual cases of municipal misuse could unfold.