site.btaIn June 2024, National Security Agency Received Reports Concerning NGO Linked to Petrohan Violent Deaths Case, Agency Head Tells Parliament

In June 2024, the State Agency for National Security (SANS) received reports concerning the non-governmental organization connected to the Petrohan violent deaths case, the Agency's acting head Denyo Denev told Parliament here on Wednesday. Members of Parliament were hearing outgoing Environment and Water Minister Manol Genov, representatives from the Ministry of Interior, SANS, and the State Agency for Child Protection regarding the Petrohan case.

On February 2, three men were found shot dead in a privately owned lodge near Petrohan Pass in the Western Balkan Range. On February 8, two men and a 15-year-old boy, all of whom had occupied the lodge, were found dead with gunshot wounds in a camper van in a remote mountain area on Okolchitsa Peak.

On 13 June 2024, SANS received a report from citizens regarding the National Protected Areas Control Agency NGO. On 15 June 2024, a second report from the same individuals was sent to SANS’s official email. Both reports were addressed to the State Agency for Child Protection, the Ministry of Interior, the Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Bulgaria, and SANS, Denev added.

On 17 June 2024, SANS received a notarized declaration from the report submitters withdrawing their complaints. Nevertheless, the Agency took steps to verify the claims made in the reports, and the results were forwarded in February 2025 to the Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office under its jurisdiction, Denev emphasized.

Regarding the deaths at the Petrohan lodge and near Okolchitsa Peak, an investigation is currently ongoing under the supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office. The Agency continues to provide full assistance to the investigative authorities, including by supplying information, he said.

Addressing public speculation, Denev stressed that SANS personnel were not present during the initial crime scene inspection at the Petrohan lodge area.

He added that, at present, there are active criminal proceedings against officials and a senior public office holder at the time, for abuse of office.