The European Public Prosecutor's Office has filed an indictment at the Sofia City Court against Petrich mayor Dimitar Brachkov over alleged fraud in building a history museum with EU funding, prosecutors said.

The court has already assigned the case, the Sofia City Court told BTA. It will now set a date for a preliminary hearing.

Hours after the prosecutors' statement, Brachkov wrote on social media that he is proud of the museum's new home. He listed its initiatives: educational workshops, exhibitions, cultural events and visits by representatives of European institutions. He also added links to material on the museum's work and what has been done under the project.

Brachkov said the cultural and historical heritage is kept in suitable conditions and surroundings, and that the museum is working and has visitors. The court case follows events that began a year ago over the project.

The project, "Cultural Dipole in the Cross-Border Region", presents the shared cultural heritage of Bulgaria and Greece. It received €646,857.59 in co-funding from the European Regional Development Fund under the Interreg V-A Greece-Bulgaria 2014-2020 cross-border cooperation programme.

According to prosecutors, the money was meant to pay for the renovation of a former military camp in Petrich and its conversion into a museum on the history of the town and the region.

In March 2025, prosecutors announced that they had brought charges against Brachkov. He told BTA at the time that he was not worried and was proud of buildings such as the History Museum. He said the council would provide the evidence needed to show the project was carried out properly.

The charges have yet to be proved in court. Under the presumption of innocence, he is considered innocent until a verdict comes into force.