site.btaBulgarian Foreign Minister Declares Russian Diplomat Persona Non Grata after Prosecution Service Says He Gathered Military Information in Bulgaria

Sofia, December 18 (BTA) - The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said
in a press release on Friday that it had declared a diplomat
posted at the Russian Embassy in Sofia persona non grata and had
 given him 72 hours to leave Bulgaria in connection with
activities incompatible with his diplomatic status. A note to
this effect was served on the deputy chief of mission, who was
summoned to the Foreign Ministry in Sofia.

The diplomat concerned has been identified by the Russian
Embassy as the Russian Military, Air and Naval Attache, who is
named on the Embassy's website and in the Bulgarian Foreign
Ministry's Diplomatic List as Colonel Vasily V. Sazanovich.

The step was taken after Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev notified
 the Foreign Minister that the Russian national concerned, who
enjoys diplomatic community, had been detected carrying out
intelligence activity in the territory of Bulgaria, the
prosecution service said on Friday.

Prosecutors were alerted about the case by the State Agency for
National Security. The Specialized Prosecution Office
investigated and established that the Russian national had been
gathering military information since 2017, including about the
number of US troops deployed in Bulgaria during exercises.

The purpose was reportedly to deliver the information, which
constitutes a state and official secret, to the Russian Military
 Intelligence in Moscow. In order to carry out the unlawful
activity, the Russian national allegedly established contact
with a Bulgarian national who had access to the classified
information in question. The latter was promised and given a
financial benefit.

The investigation was suspended because the suspect enjoys
immunity from prosecution.

The Russian Embassy in Sofia reacted by stating that "the
groundless expulsion of the head of the representation of the
Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation does not foster
the promotion of the dialogue between our countries in the
military sphere and a strengthening of stability in the Black
Sea region. The Russian side reserves the right to reciprocate."

Also on Friday, the US Embassy in Sofia said in a statement that
 "the United States of America supports BulgariaÒs efforts to
protect its sovereignty and security, including the announcement
 today to expel a Russian embassy official for conducting
espionage. We have in recent weeks and months seen too many
examples of Russian officials carrying out aggressive actions,
from espionage in Bulgaria to poisoning opponents both at home
and abroad. Bulgaria is a strong NATO ally and partner and has
an unalienable right to defend its sovereignty."

Later in the day, the British Embassy in Sofia took note of the
Foreign Ministry's statement regarding the expulsion of a
Russian Embassy official for espionage on the territory of
Bulgaria. "Bulgaria is a close partner and strong NATO ally. It
has a right to tackle malign foreign actions which seek to
undermine its sovereignty. The UK supports the steps taken by
the Bulgarian authorities to respond to this threat and
safeguard its citizens, sovereignty and national security," the
Embassy said.

Sazanovich is the fifth Russian diplomat to be expelled from
Bulgaria for alleged espionage this year, after two in January
and two in late September. NV/ZH, LG