The nickname “Pampers,” associated with a man from Gabrovo, has sparked significant controversy following parliamentary representative Ivaylo Mirchev’s publication of a list claiming to detail the names and aliases of individuals across the country linked to vote buying.
Who is Pampers?
Ivan Sabchev is a well-known figure in Gabrovo, connected to the city’s nightlife. He currently owns one of the most popular coffee bars, “Moda Bar,” and has another kebab shop in the city center. Years ago, while beginning his business career, Sabchev dealt in disposable baby diapers, which is where his nickname “Pampers” originates. His wife is Veselina Pirgozlieva, a prominent lawyer in Gabrovo, who until 2020 was listed as a partner in the security company “Omon Security,” linked to Zlatko Baretata. It is alleged that Sabchev has had ties with officials at various levels within Gabrovo’s Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior for years.
Last week, Mirchev published a post on his Facebook account alleging that Sabchev regularly met with the deputy director of Gabrovo’s Directorate, the latest encounter reportedly taking place at Kolyo’s House.
Following the publication of this information on the „Fakti“ website, a reader with the nickname Choki commented:
“Mirchev conveniently overlooks that at the meeting in ‘Kolyo’s House,’ besides ‘Pampers’ and the deputy director of the Gabrovo Directorate, there were also present the regional coordinator of GERB for the Gabrovo region, the leader of the ‘DPS – New Beginning’ list for Gabrovo, as well as other representatives of the Gabrovo underground. The owner of ‘Kolyo’s House’ is a business partner of ‘Pampers.’ Feels like the 1990s…”
Following the publication, GERB’s local coordinator for Gabrovo, Tsvetomir Mihov, personally contacted “Za Istinata.” He asserted that all claims regarding his participation in meetings between Ivan Sabchev and the deputy director of the Gabrovo Directorate are “absolute slander” and do not reflect the truth.
For years, it has been claimed in Gabrovo that Sabchev has operated within the small communities around the city, yet no evidence has been provided to substantiate this. The Gabrovo electoral district holds only four parliamentary mandates, making the competition for each vote highly contested. In Gabrovo, Deian Peevski has little chance of garnering support; therefore, insiders suggest that Sabchev primarily engages in dealings for GERB, but is likely to “assist” the “DPS – New Beginning” (affiliated with Peevski) in the smaller villages around the city for the elections on October 27.
The list published by Ivaylo Mirchev also includes the name of the local GERB coordinator in Gabrovo, Tsvetomir Mihov. He is described as having been “nurtured” by Tomislav Donchev—one of the most recognized faces in GERB, a former mayor of Gabrovo, and a consistent party list leader there. Additionally, he is said to wield considerable influence over appointments in various municipal and state structures in Gabrovo. Notably, his brother, Minko Mihov, is the director of the regional hospital.
In this electoral campaign, a new name has also emerged in connection with vote buying—”Three Xs.” Who is he?
Hassan Hadzhihasan has three “X” letters in his name, which is the origin of his nickname. His physical appearance bears no resemblance to the fictional character of the same name. A photo featuring him with Peevski during the announcement of the “DPS – New Beginning” list leaders portrays him almost comically standing next to Peevski.
Hassan Hadzhihasan: Background and Allegations
Hassan Hadzhihasan is not originally from Gabrovo and has never participated in elections there; thus, he is not connected to Ivan Sabchev, known as “Pampers.” However, sources close to Deian Peevski suggest that this approach is a new strategy being tested for the upcoming vote on October 27—engaging several individuals who operate independently and possess different styles.
Hadzhihasan is a construction entrepreneur from Veliko Tarnovo with a long history in politics. He served three terms as a municipal councilor in Veliko Tarnovo and was a member of parliament representing the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) for two terms until 2015. Before seeking a third parliamentary term, he was expelled from DPS. Throughout his 20-year career, he has been active in both local and national politics.
It is alleged that Hadzhihasan is currently traveling through villages in the Sevlievo area, reportedly buying votes for himself as he leads a party list. However, no evidence supporting these claims has been presented in any publications on the subject. His involvement in Gabrovo is said to be linked to the fact that the Veliko Tarnovo leader of “DPS – New Beginning” was the individual responsible for expelling Hadzhihasan from DPS a decade ago. This connects to another figure named in Ivaylo Mirchev’s list, Gyunai Daloolu, known as “Sharana.”
Election Dynamics: The Roles of Key Figures in Gabrovo and Lovech
Hassan Hadzhihasan ranks second on the “DPS – New Beginning” list in Veliko Tarnovo, following leader Yordan Tsonev, often nicknamed “Dancho Mentata.” He stands a chance of entering the National Assembly if Tsonev decides to run on a different list; however, this scenario seems unlikely. Traditionally, the united DPS has secured one parliamentary seat from the Veliko Tarnovo electoral district, which comprises eight mandates.
Hadzhihasan is also involved in construction. He claims that the Turkish neighborhood in the ancient capital has always voted as he instructs. Support for Peevski has typically come from the smaller communities in the surrounding areas, populated by ethnic Turks, particularly in the municipalities of Pavlikeni and Svishtov. Instances of vote-buying have been most frequently reported in the village of Batak (Pavlikeni), where even the late DPS deputy, Kamen Kostadinov, received a warning protocol from the police.
As elections approach in Lovech, discussions often turn to Aleydin Aliev, known as Alcho. His name gained notoriety in 1993 following the first high-profile assassination in Bulgaria’s recent history, of the wrestler Stefan Miroslavov—known as “Krushata,” the founder of the VIS-1 group. Allegedly, Alcho inherited Krushata’s influence and maintained a close relationship with Grisha Ganchev, which likely aided him in competing against the late Alexey Petrov in the region.
It has been claimed that Alcho survived a beating and shooting between the factions of SIK and VIS in Lovech and was the individual who “held” the votes of the Turkish-speaking population in the area.
To the north of Lovech, Methodi Petkov is also mentioned in Ivaylo Mirchev’s list. According to Mirchev, Petkov operates in the village of Bukovlak. The significance of Bukovlak, one of the largest villages in Bulgaria, becomes apparent during elections. With around 5,000 residents, two-thirds of whom are ethnic Turks and Roma, the voting trend is reported to be overwhelmingly one-sided, with 90% of votes consistently cast in the same direction. The village is notorious for controlled voting, and Methodi is said to be the person responsible for determining the election of a deputy, as approximately 2,000 to 3,000 people regularly vote in a controlled manner.
In 2019, Methodi was conditionally sentenced to four years in prison for assaulting a man from a nearby village and forcing him to eat raw fish as punishment for fishing in a concessioned reservoir he managed. Currently, it is claimed that Methodi Petkov is one of the “right hands” of Deian Peevski. Notably, Velislava Krsteva, a former media liaison for DPS who is now considered one of Peevski’s closest associates, previously entered parliament as a deputy from Bukovlak.
Dido Dankata from Varna: A Brief Overview
Dido Dankata, a well-known figure in Varna, does not require much introduction. In the extraordinary parliamentary elections of 2023, the GERB lists in Varna and Veliko Tarnovo were led by former Health Minister Kostadin Angelov. Slogging in at second place in Varna was Slaveniya Tocheva, who became a “champion” of preferential votes and secured a seat in the National Assembly, earning herself the monikers “Miss GERB” and “Miss Parliament.”
However, her rise to prominence angered Boyko Borisov, but the final straw came when Tocheva and Daniel Slavov (Dido Dankata) failed to secure re-election for GERB’s mayoral candidate Ivan Portnih in the local elections last autumn.
Currently, rumors suggest that the duo of Slavov and Tocheva will play a role in the campaign for “DPS – New Beginning” under Deian Peevski. The connection to the DPS is highlighted by the fact that Slaveniya Tocheva was a former business partner in a family business with Vedat Sakkala, the former DPS leader in the seaside capital.
The “Analysis” section presents various viewpoints. The opinions expressed are not necessarily aligned with the editorial position of “Za Istinata.”
