BULGARIA'S EFFORTS TO IMPLEMENT THE CYBERCRIME CONVENTION

UNCLAS SOFIA 000534

EUR/NCE FOR THOMAS YEAGER
L/LEI FOR DAVID BUCHHOLZ
INL/C FOR JAMES VIGIL

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINT KCRM KJUS PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: BULGARIA'S EFFORTS TO IMPLEMENT THE CYBERCRIME CONVENTION

REF: A. SECSTATE 77138

B. SOFIA 00522


1. (SBU) This cable provides post's input on Bulgaria's
implementation of the Council of Europe's (CoE) Convention on
Cybercrime as requested in reftel A, which Bulgaria signed in 2001
and ratified in 2005. Bulgaria's legal framework largely addresses
the Convention's provisions. The scope and scale of cybercrime in
Bulgaria is broadening, with most cybercrimes involving intellectual
property right (IPR) violations as described in reftel B. Bulgaria
hosts some of the most popular peer-to-peer/torrent sites in the
world.


2. (SBU) The Ministry of Interior (MOI) Cybercrime Unit has
successfully pursued intellectual property offenses, but the
judicial system is weak in prosecuting and convicting Cybercrime
offenders. The Cybercrime Unit has been particularly successful in
pursuing peer-to-peer/torrent internet piracy, which accounts for
most of the IPR crime in Bulgaria, as well as Central and Eastern
Europe. Given the enormity of the online piracy problem and the
rapidly increasing internet use/bandwidth in the country, Post
advocates that the MOI expand the Cybercrime unit as part of its
restructuring and reform efforts currently underway. With only 12
officers, the Cybercrime Unit lacks the officers and resources it
needs to vigorously pursue cyber criminals.


3. (SBU) The Department of Justice (DOJ) Regional IPR Coordinator
is working with police, prosecutors, and industry representatives to
improve the weaknesses in the prosecution of IPR-related cybercrime.
DOJ is also continuing to offer trainings for police and
prosecutors in this area.

KARAGIANNIS