The former head of district heating company "Toplofikacia Sofia" has been arrested on charges of money laundering and tax evasion, it emerged on Wednesday. Valentin Dimitrov was detained a day earlier to remain in custody for 72 hours.

Legal proceedings for malpractices in the company were launched ten days ago, Bulgaria's senior prosecutor Boris Velchev told journalists.

Sofia mayor Boyko Borissov has repeatedly submitted materials for malpractices in the company, unveiled by checks of municipal inspectors. The latest tip-off came on June 30 and showed drastic violations, bringing the total amount of abused money to BGN 16 M. Dimitrov is said to have equipped his office with sauna, Jacuzzi and a private masseur on the company's account.

The revelations led to Dimitrov's dismissal as executive director of the company, but he retained the post of deputy director. He was definitively sacked after the shareholders' meeting on June 23.

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