Commander of 'Islamic State' Arrested in Bulgaria

The Bulgarian Specialized Prosecutor’s Office said on 13th of October that a commander of 'Islamic State' has been arrested in Bulgaria over illegal distribution of hookah tobacco. The detained Syrian has Bulgarian citizenship.

The suspect has been charged with terrorism and leading a criminal group for illicit production and sale of tobacco - distributed in Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Germany and France. The arrest took place on September 29, but the information was only released on 13^th of October in official statements from the specialized prosecutor's office and the Ministry of Interior.

The suspect arrived in Bulgaria in 2008 and was granted Bulgarian citizenship. In the summer of 2013, he went to Syria, where he joined Islamic state.

According to the specialized prosecution, he took active part in combat activities as a managerial figure.

The investigation has found an authentic document signed by one of the IS leaders, which certifies the suspect’s affiliation to the organization and gives him right to free access to the entire line of combat operations.

In the spring of 2016, the suspect returned to Bulgaria. While continuing his ties with the 'Islamic State', he organised a crime group to produce and sell hookah tobacco without a legal permit to do so.

The production was sold in Bulgaria and abroad - through known buyers of Arabic origin. The prosecution adds that, apart from the leader, two more people were detained for illegal cigarettes, and that they were remanded in custody.