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2 clusters · 38 sources · 17 days · First seen · Last updated

Bulgarian National Security Service controversies

Overview

The Bulgarian National Security Service (NSS/NSO) has faced scrutiny following two separate incidents involving its personnel.

In early October, Alexey Pashovski, a high-ranking official responsible for the security of the Boyana Residence, was detained following a domestic dispute. While reports varied on whether the incident involved a physical assault or death threats, the Military Prosecutor's Office ultimately declined to file charges due to a lack of evidence, leading to his release.

Later in the month, an NSO officer was detained by military police after an encounter with journalist Sonya Koltuklieva in Sofia. The altercation occurred in front of the Progressive Bulgaria party headquarters while Koltuklieva was attempting to interview National Assembly Speaker Mihaela Dotova. Reports indicate the confrontation began when Koltuklieva opened the door of the official vehicle containing Dotova, leading an NSO officer to push her to the ground. Koltuklieva was hospitalized with a fractured shoulder and a concussion.

The event has triggered a significant political crisis, occurring just days before presidential elections. While Speaker Dotova described the encounter as “absolutely unacceptable,” various political parties, including GERB and DPS, have accused her of failing to show sufficient concern for the injured journalist and have demanded her resignation. Following President Iliana Yotova’s condemnation of the officer’s actions as “unacceptable and disproportionate,” NSO Director Emil Tonev has resigned from his position.

The officer involved, Lieutenant Martin Varadinov, was detained for questioning and appeared before the Sofia Military Court. The court recently decided not to impose a measure of detention, allowing him to be released pending further proceedings. The NSO has launched an internal investigation and ordered an immediate inspection of its officials' activities.

Entities

National Security Service · Emil Tonev · Mihaela Dotova · Iliana Yotova · National Service for Security

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. [POLITICS] 37 sources
    Bulgarian NSO head resigns after security officer injures journalist

    Bulgarian NSO head Emil Tonev resigned after an officer injured journalist Sonya Koltuklieva during a confrontation with Parliament Speaker Mihaela Dotsova in Sofia.

  2. [CRIME] 2 sources
    National Security Service official detained for domestic violence

    An official from Bulgaria's National Security Service, responsible for the Boyana Residence, was detained following reports of domestic violence and death threats against his wife.

Sources

a-specto.bg · actualno.com · aravot.am · borba.me · brasilemfolhas.com.br · burgas24.bg · clubz.bg · crimes.bg · defakto.bg · europesays.com · expres.mk · factor.am · fakti.bg · iskra.bg · kliuki.bg · libertas.mk · lider.mk · moreto.net · netnews.bg · novini247.com · ohridsky.com · petel.bg · pik.bg · ploshtadslaveikov.com · plovdiv24.bg · plovdivnow.bg · ruse.news · safenews.bg · shantnews.am · slava.bg · standartnews.com · stara-zagora.net · trafficnews.bg · utro.mk · varna24.bg · vesti.bg · vevesti.bg · viaranews.com

This summary has been updated 8 times: see revision history