Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry has summoned Russian ambassador Mitrofanova over Kremlin’s warrant for Bulgarian journalist Hristo Grozev

Russia’s ambassador to Bulgaria, Eleonora Mitrofanova, has been summoned to the Foreign Ministry in Sofia in connection with reports that the Bulgarian investigative journalist Hristo Grozev has been out on a Russian federal wanted list. The meeting is to take place today, December 29 and the ambassador is expected to give more information on the case.

Grozev told BNT he had no idea on what grounds the Kremlin has put him on its ‘wanted list’. He said that he expects support from the Bulgarian state because he fears for his safety and that of his family.

So far, four other countries have offered him help. The Presidency said that Bulgarian institutions were in contact with Hristo Grozev even before the media reports and measures were taken to ensure his safety, including through cooperation with partner services.

Grozev explained that he is not surprised by what is happening and he sees in it revanchism on the part of Moscow because of its revelations in the case of the poisoning of Alexei Navalny.

In addition, Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry said that in the meeting with Ambassador Mitrofanova, it will be discussed why the study of the Bulgarian language is banned in the Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine and why portraits of Bulgarian historical figures are being taken down.