Bulgaria‘s National Intelligence Service Marks 119 Years, Faces Calls for Leadership Resignation
Today, Bulgaria’s State Agency for National Security (SANS) celebrates its 119th anniversary. Despite the professional milestones and dedication of its staff in ensuring national security, the agency finds itself in the midst of controversy over its political neutrality and integrity.
Genesis of Controversy
In a Facebook post, General Aтанас Атанасов – ДБ called for the resignation of SANS’ leadership, citing repeated breaches of the agency’s fundamental principles, specifically political neutrality, objectivity, and impartiality. The former top intelligence official highlighted a recent project proposed by SANS, detailing it as an instance of political instrumentalization and administrative arbitrariness.
The contentious project, intended for the Intelligence Services Act (ISA), proposes reintroducing lifelong state secrets and dismissing ‘inconvenient’ mayors who fail to submit documents attesting to their trustworthiness within two months of taking office. It also includes provisions for revoking access to classified information.
Reform Calls Mount
General Атанасов further emphasized the need for a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s security services. His proposed reforms include updating the National Security Strategy, countering and neutralizing hostile foreign intelligence operations, implementing an effective personnel integrity and loyalty vetting system, and revamping the leadership with independent, moral, and competently modernizing figures.
He concluded by stating that backing these reforms would serve as a litmus test for political will to drive change.
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