site.btaDefence Ministry Denies Political Leader's Allegations as Damaging Armed Forces Prestige

The Defence Ministry Thursday denied allegations by a political leader regarding an incident involving party activists and a military convoy. It put out a statement saying that the political leader's remarks "undermining the prestige of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria" and that that it is "unacceptable to involve the Bulgarian Army in an election campaign".

The Ministry position apparently reacted to an interview on bTV with the leader of the nationalist party Vazrazhdane where he said that party activists stopped a military convoy on the approaches to the Black Sea city of Varna and were threatened with a gun by a Military Police officer.

The Ministry said, "The Bulgarian Army is depoliticised. It serves the Bulgarian people regardless of political vicissitudes and fulfils its constitutional obligations. The participation of the Bulgarian Armed Forces in national and union exercises and training is key to enhancing their readiness to fulfil their constitutional obligations to safeguard the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Bulgaria. In this case, on June 4, a military convoy transporting equipment of an anti-aircraft missile unit for participation in the national exercise "Shabla -2024" stopped in the area of the Asparuhov Bridge in Varna. The bridge was temporarily closed to traffic by the Ministry of Interior due to a traffic accident. The military column was escorted by teams of the Military Police Service. The task of the Military Police Service is to ensure the security and safety of the movement of personnel and military equipment. When carrying out their duties, members of the Military Police Service are required to carry weapons, according to Article 50 of the Regulations for the Implementation of the Military Police Act.  A subsequent investigation into the case on June 4 found no excess of authority by the military police officers. Attempts to undermine the authority of the Bulgarian Army and the Armed Forces and to hinder its training can only have negative consequences for national security and the international standing of the Republic of Bulgaria. A responsible attitude towards the Bulgarian Army requires respect for its role and functions and consistent work to address the most important issues related to modernization, combat duty and the fulfilment of our obligations as part of the common collective security of NATO countries."