The Bulgarian Embassy in Tel Aviv has requested consular access to a Bulgarian citizen detained by Israeli authorities during an operation against the Sumud flotilla, as well as assurances that his rights will be respected, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said.
The embassy remains in contact with the competent authorities, is monitoring the development of the case, and will provide timely updates on any new information.
The Ministry further reports that it has been closely following the events surrounding the Global Sumud Flotilla since its departure. The Ministry had informed the Israeli authorities in advance that among the foreign nationals aboard one of the ships in the flotilla, there is a Bulgarian citizen.
According to the information available, that individual, along with citizens of several other countries, is among those detained as part of the Israeli operation, the Ministry said.
Currently, the detainees are being gradually transported to the Israeli port of Ashdod. The local authorities have ensured access to medical care, the Ministry added.
In an Instagram post by the flotilla, the name of the Bulgarian citizen, Vassil Nikolaev Dimitrov, appeared, stating that he was on board the boat Grande Blu. Vassil Dimitrov, who is from Sofia, himself reported the detention in a video shared on social media, calling on the government to intervene.
In Copenhagen, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov told reporters that Bulgaria has notified Israeli authorities about the Bulgarian citizen in the Sumud Flotilla and has called on them to respect international law. More information is expected after Bulgaria’s consul visits Vassil Dimitrov.
Zhelyazkov noted that Israel has declared a state of emergency, so the risks were knowingly accepted by participants.
Last night, Israeli forces intercepted and boarded the humanitarian vessel Spectrum, which is part of the global Sumud flotilla delivering aid to Gaza, according to Reuters and Israeli officials. The incident triggered protests across Italy as many of Italians are part of the flotilla. Demonstrations were held in several cities including Rome, Naples, Milan, and Genoa, with some clashes reported. Turkiye’s Foreign Ministry condemned Israel’s actions as a “terrorist act” violating international law and is coordinating with other countries to seek the immediate release of detainees.
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