Plamen Tonchev

Earlier today, the director of Bulgaria's Customs Agency, Petya Bankova, has found herself at the center of an anti-corruption operation. Police, gendarmerie, and State Agency "National Security" (SANS) officials launched a coordinated operation, conducting searches at Bankova's office and residence, as well as her deputy Ludmil Marinov's premises.

In an ongoing dispute, Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov has accused President Rumen Radev of obstructing his national security duties by refusing to sign the resignation of Plamen Tonchev, the chairman of the State Agency for National Security (SANS). Denkov argues that the President's refusal hampers the government's ability to function effectively in matters related to national security.

President Rumen Radev recently voiced fresh criticism of the Prime Minister during a round table discussion centered on exploring the potential for modernizing the Bulgarian Army through the adoption of accessible innovative technologies. His remarks pertained to the proposed early release of Plamen Tonchev, the chairman of the State Agency National Security (SANS).

It has been established that an adviser to a Bulgarian Prime Minister coordinated the position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a Macedonian citizen during the negotiation process of the Republic of North Macedonia with the EU.

"Heads of services do not coordinate with partner countries - there is no such legal requirement, nor such a practice". This was stated before the MPs by the chairman of the State Agency for National Security (SANS) Plamen Tonchev.

In the past year 2022, Bulgaria declared 84 employees of the Russian official representations in our country as persona non grata. This was said in an interview with BTA by the chairman of the National Security Agency, Plamen Tonchev.

For comparison, in 2021, three employees of the Russian representative offices were declared persona non grata.

"Today I demanded the resignations of the executive director of Bulgarian Posts and the entire composition of the board of directors," said the principal of the post, Deputy Prime Minister Kalina Konstantinova.

The two SANS (State Agency for National Security) employees investigated for espionage in favor of Russia have been removed. They are heads of sectors and departments in the agency, said SANS chairman Plamen Tonchev.

Bulgaria: Two SANS Officers and Someone from a Ministry are under Investigation for Espionage

Former chairman of the State Agency for National Security (SANS) Dimitar Georgiev has been detained for poaching, BNR reports.

Police arrested him near the Blagoevgrad village of Sushitsa after a report of illegal hunting in the area.

The head of state Rumen Radev signed a decree on the proposal of the Council of Ministers for the dismissal of Dimitar Georgiev from the post of chairman of the State Agency for National Security (SANS), the press office of the head of state announced.