Title: Bulgarian Security Agency’s U-turn on Strategic Arms Firms Raises Questions
Bulgarian businessman Deyan Peevski‘s influence appears to have thwarted the classification of two critical arms manufacturing firms as strategic objects, potentially hampering the country’s military capabilities amid global ammunition shortages. The revelation, recently made public by former Defense Minister Boyko Noev on "Studio Bulgaria," has raised serious concerns about potential state capture and the security of Bulgaria’s arms industry.
The two companies, "Aheloi OPM" Ltd and "Karaш Invest" EOOD, were initially set to be designated as strategic objects of national security by the Ministry of Economy in March 2024. However, the State Agency for National Security (SANS) later withdrew its positive assessment, effectively blocking their designation. This reversal occurred after two phone calls from Peevski, according to then-Economy Minister Bogdan Bogdanov.
In the first call, Peevski demanded the removal of the point from the ministerial council’s agenda that would approve the two companies’ status. When this was denied, he insisted that Bogdanov first present the issue before a parliamentary committee and only then have the ministerial council vote on it. This second request was granted.
After the parliamentary presentation, the cabinet under Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov re-included the point on the agenda, but SANS swayed and changed its stance to negative, keeping both firms off the strategic objects list.
Two days after news broke of Peevski’s interference, all involved parties maintained silence on the matter. SANS and Deyan Peevski’s press offices did not respond to queries from Studio Bulgaria. Neither did then-Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov, who was present during the conversation between Bogdanov and Peevski.
Following Bogdanov’s testimony, MPs voted to demand all documents related to the arms companies’ procedures. However, GERB MP Desislava Trifonova later suggested that the procedure was halted due to inadequate data and analysis provided by Bogdanov.
Bulgarian arms manufacturers are heavily reliant on imported ammunition, making the designation of these strategic firms crucial. The global ammonium shortage, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, has spotlighted the need for self-sufficiency in Bulgaria’s arms industry.
Former Defense Minister Boyko Noev maintained that SANS Chairman, under Peevski’s influence, withdrew its approval without valid arguments. SANS, along with other key institutions like the prosecution, has frequently been accused of being under Peevski’s thumb.
Peevski’s influence over state security bodies has long been a contentious issue. In 2015, an attempt was made on the life of arms dealer Emilian Gebrev, whose son, Kristo Gebrev, heads "Karaş Invest." It was later revealed that Russian military intelligence (GRU) agents were behind the poisoning. Gebrev’s businesses have also faced numerous attacks, some linked to the GRU.
Gebrev has long maintained that his poisoning was connected to his acquisition of "Dunarit," a arms factory in Ruse, from the collapsing Corporate Trade Bank (KTB) in 2014. After buying the factory in 2016, Gebrev and his son faced a series of state attacks, culminating in their prosecution for being part of an organized crime group. The "Dunarit" deal was challenged in court by the offshore company "ViAfot," whose nominal owner, according to the "Bivol.bg" website, is Alexandar Angelov, known as Peevski’s lawyer. The company ceased to exist in 2019.
The current situation raises significant questions about Peevski’s influence over Bulgaria’s security apparatus and the potential risks to the country’s national security. As Bulgaria seeks to bolster its military capabilities in the face of global threats, the need for transparency and accountability in such high-stakes decisions could not be more pressing.
