site.btaInterior Ministry Has Repeatedly Dismissed Staff Unlawfully over the Years, Minister Mitov Says

Over the years, Interior Ministry staff have been repeatedly dismissed unlawfully, regardless of reports and evidence, simply to satisfy someone’s thirst for retribution in over 90% of cases, Interior Minister Daniel Mitov argued during a hearing before the National Assembly’s Internal Security and Public Order Committee on Thursday.

Mitov pointed out that in such cases, courts later rule in favour of the employee, who is reinstated to the same or an equivalent position and is entitled to back pay, unused leave, and compensation if they choose to resign. Through arbitrary dismissals, rather than imposing legally prescribed disciplinary sanctions, the Ministry ends up damaging its own budget, the Minister said.

He made the remarks in response to a question regarding former Deputy Director of the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (GDCOC) Kalin Litov. Mitov explained that a disciplinary probe into GDCOC’s operation in Plovdiv had found that Litov had not committed a serious disciplinary offense and that it could not be proven beyond doubt that he had ordered the operation to be terminated. However, the investigation did find evidence of inaction and failure to fulfil his official duties after the incident was reported. As a result, Litov received a formal reprimand, effective for one year, on June 23. He subsequently submitted a resignation request and was released from the Ministry.

On the topic of migration, Mitov said the pressure at Bulgaria’s borders was not just decreasing, but dramatically so, including attempts at illegal crossings along the Bulgarian-Turkish border.

According to the Interior Minister, migration pressure has dropped by about 70% compared to 2023, thanks to a combination of factors including improvements to the border barrier, enhanced video surveillance, increased Border Police personnel, and new equipment. He also credited the contributions of contingents from Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Frontex.