Cherney Cleared, Investors Encouraged in Bulgaria, Italy Royals Case
By Herb Brandon Tel Aviv -----July 10....... Prince Victor Emanuel, 69, descendant of the last King of Italy, Umberto II, was arrested in North Italy last month as part of an investigation uncovering Mafia - related manipulation of gaming machines at Casino Campione d’Italia, located in Switzerland near the Italian border. Media speculation placed Victor Emanuel as manager of the network involving gambling fraud and call girls. Also involved are the royal’s son Emanuel Filiberto and cousin Simeon Saxe-Coburg (Simeon II), ex-monarch and former Prime Minister of Bulgaria (2001-2005). Many foreign investors in Bulgaria expressed hope that Simeon’s exposure will help improve the overall business climate in that country. Many are unwilling to go on the record, but complain privately that Bulgarian officials, members of Simeon’s National Movement for Simeon II Party (NMSII), who rule the country in coalition with Socialists, regularly extort bribes and then sometimes renege on their promises of favorable treatment. European media have been riveted on this case, which involves money laundering, corruption, fraud and inducement to prostitution amongst the Italian and Bulgarian royals named. Whereas the press of Italy and Spain expressed shock by these charges, red flags warning that Simeon II and his aides were involved in corruption have been aired in Bulgarian media for years. Israel philanthropist Michael Cherney (Mikhail Chernoy), a prominent international industrialist and former owner of Mobitel, Bulgaria’s largest mobile telecommunications operator, has long claimed that Simeon’s associates have tried to grab ownership of Mobitel and other businesses from him. As part of these efforts, Cherney was accused of bribing Bulgarian officials, charges ciculated to other countries through the Prime Minsiter’s initiative. Cherney was categorically acquitted of the bribery charges by the Bulgarian Supreme Court but claims he still suffers damage to his reputation, especially in the banking sphere, as a result of Simeon II’s actions. Cherney’s associates say he is still prevented from entering Bulgaria by corrupt officials, members of Simeon’s National Movement for Simeon II Party (NMSII), who rule the country in coalition with Socialists. In last year’s elections held June 25, 2005, NMSII received 21.83% of the popular vote and 53 of the Parliament’s 240 seats. Recent surveys show a sharp decrease of support for NMSII (down to less than 8%) triggered among other reasons by the allegations of corruption being levelled against Simeon. Following his repatriation to Israel, Michael Cherney maintains business interests in Russia and post-Soviet states, while developing new business contacts between Russia, Europe, Israel, and the US. In Israel, Michael Cherney spends much effort on charity and humanitarian projects that reinforce cooperation between Israel and Russia in fighting terrorism. Michael Cherney established a Website for his Foundation on June 1, 2001, the night of the terrorist bombing outside the Dolphinarium Disco in Tel Aviv. When Michael Cherney learned the number of victims - 21 dead and over 150 wounded - he realized that rendering assistance required a systematic organized effort. Prior to 2001, Cherney was engaged in charity work in Russia, Ukraine, Central Asia, Bulgaria, the US - wherever he did business. He made valuable contributions into Jewish philanthropy in Russia. Following the Dolphinarium terrorist tragedy, the Cherney Fund became the helping hand for all its victims. In a misfortune like this, emigres from the former Soviet countries are even worse off than those born in Israel: they don't have a support system or savings. The Cherney Fund, therefore, renders help mostly to the new arrivals, victims of catastrophes and terrorist acts that continue to bleed Israel, as well as to the low-income victims of terror in other countries. Another equally important task assumed by the Cherney Foundation is the media effort in war on terror. Shortly after the Dolphinarium attack, the Foundation published a book called Dolphinarium: Terror Targets the Young. The Michael Cherney Foundation has established grants for students from the former Soviet Union in all major Israel universities with an annual endowment of one million shekels.
Sponsored by IsraelPr.com |
