site.btaOpposition Warns of Political Purges at National Security Service

People close to MRF-New Beginning leader Delian Peevski are being appointed to key positions in the State Agency for National Security (SANS), said Ivaylo Mirchev, Co-chair of Yes, Bulgaria, on Facebook

“MRF-New Beginning is taking control of SANS, replacing directors in key positions with people from Peevski's circle. Teams loyal to Peevski's appointees are being formed, while other employees are being transferred or forced to leave,” said Mirchev.

He also wrote that after the dismissal of the director of Human Resources, a list of 400 employees of retirement age was drawn up so that they could be retired.

Mirchev claimed that work in the main areas has been halted, and actions are being carried out only on Peevski's instructions.

He also stated that the Russian agency has been left alone to avoid conflict with local interests related to commissions from Russian oil through a company close to Peevski in the fuel business.

“People close to Boyko Borissov are also involved in the ‘optimization’ of SANS. Employees' clothing is checked weekly, and disciplinary penalties are imposed for not wearing a suit, for example, which hinders the work of agents in the field,” Mirchev revealed.

The Co-chair of Yes, Bulgaria stated that the SANS administration is growing at the expense of operational capabilities, and the selection criteria have been significantly lowered.

“Peevski's plan is to remove the disobedient and those approaching retirement in order to make room for those loyal to the ‘big boy’, who will play an important part in the total takeover of our counterintelligence,” Mirchev concluded.