site.btaPM Radev Defends SANS Leadership Appointment

On Saturday, Prime Minister Rumen Radev defended the government’s decision to appoint Stancho Stanev as deputy chairperson of the State Agency for National Security (SANS) and to task him with serving as acting head of the Agency until a permanent chairperson is named. 

Radev explained that deputy chairs of SANS are appointed on the proposal of the Agency’s chairperson, adding that he had accepted the recommendation made by the current acting chair, Denyo Denev. He described the choice as a rational one, pointing out that Stanev comes from the broader security sector but is not currently part of SANS itself.

Addressing concerns over the appointment, Radev said he was not troubled by the proposal. He argued that bringing in someone from outside the agency could be useful, given the need to assess past developments within the security services. He also stated that SANS had in recent years been subject to pressure from “oligarchic circles,” and said it was important to first establish what had taken place.

Commenting on criticism regarding Stanev’s past security clearance, which was reportedly revoked in 2013, Radev said he had examined the matter. According to him, the issue had been resolved through the courts, after which Stanev was reinstated in the National Protection Service and held a senior position.

Radev also expressed hope that a permanent chairperson of SANS would be appointed soon, signalling that Stanev’s current role is intended as an interim arrangement following Friday’s government decision.