site.btaPrime Minister Borissov Reiterates Position on Russian Opposition Leader's Arrest in Response to President Radev's Criticism

Sofia, January 24 (BTA) - Prime Minister Boyko Borissov reiterated that the Bulgarian government stands behind the immediate release of people detained in Russia for political activity, and said that detaining them should not be allowed. In a Facebook post on Sunday, the Prime Minister was adamant that this does not speak about a deterioration in relations between Bulgaria and Russia, pointing out that Bulgaria accepts pragmatic decisions in favour of the state, but not when its values are violated. Borissov argued that there is nothing wrong with expressing this position.

On, Saturday Prime Minister Borissov criticized President Rumen Radev for not reacting to Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's arrest in Moscow. Radev responded by slamming the Prime Minister later that day in a position circulated by his Press Secretariat which reads: "Mr Borissov showed no compassion for the Bulgarian protesters and journalists who were beaten [during last year's street protests in Sofia against the government], or the poisoning of [defence supplier] Emilian Gebrev and other Bulgarian citizens. Mr Borissov became notorious in the European Parliament for his threat to 'burn' Elena Yoncheva [MEP and journalist], as you can hear him say in the recording, and equally notorious in the European press for allowing people seeking asylum in Europe to be sent to Turkish prisons."

"Now, he poses as a champion of democracy. After killing democracy in Bulgaria, he wants to 'liberate' other nations as well," Radev said. "I find the problems of Bulgarian democracy too dramatic to conceal them behind ostentatious expressions of concern. I will leave that role to Mr Borissov," the President remarked.

Commenting the President's reaction on Sunday, Borissov said that Radev talked about pretty much everything else in his statement, but failed to express his own position [on Navalny's arrest].

Borissov said that the Bulgarian government's position, the same as the position of the Euro-Atlantic democratic community, supports Navalny's release and added that he had not heard from the President a position on the cases of expelled Russian diplomats either, except when he talks about [defence supplier Emilian] Gebrev [who was poisoned in Bulgaria allegedly by Russian secret service agents]. Borissov added that the Bulgarian authorities are working with intelligence services in Great Britain on this matter.

Borissov noted that instead of attacking him, the President should simply express his position and assured that no one will reprimand him if he does.


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Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva reacted to the arrests of demonstrators supporting Navalny in Russia by tweeting on Saturday: "We condemn the detention of peacefully demonstrating supporters of Alexei Navalny across Russia and call for their immediate release. The freedom of peaceful protest must be respected. MY/DT