National Service for Protection Investigates Officers’ Actions Following Incident Involving Journalist Sonya Koltuklieva

Bulgaria's National Service for Protection (NSP) is investigating the actions of its officers following an incident involving journalist Sonya Koltuklieva, who was pushed by an NSP officer guarding the Speaker of Parliament.

The incident sparked strong political reactions and calls for resignations over the unacceptable treatment of a journalist.

President Iliana Iotova condemned the guard’s actions and called for the circumstances to be clarified swiftly and for those responsible to be held accountable if violations were established.

The Speaker of Parliament also called for a full investigation into what happened and the strictest possible measures. Koltuklieva was taken to the 'Military Medical Academy' Hospital, where officials announced that, following the necessary examinations, the journalist had been discharged for treatment at home.

The National Service for Protection is launching an immediate and thorough investigation into the actions of its officers during the incident involving a representative of the PIK news agency.

Following a meeting of the Executive Bureau of 'Progressive Bulgaria' and Prime Minister Radev’s statement to the media, PIK reporter Sonya Koltuklieva attempted to interview Speaker of Parliament Mihaela Dotsova as she was getting into her car. Koltuklieva opened the vehicle’s door after it had already been closed, was pushed by an NSP guard and fell to the ground. The Speaker’s cars then drove away. An ambulance took Koltuklieva to the Military Medical Academy Hospital.

The NSP stated that the strictest possible measures would be taken if any unlawful actions were established, and that the Military Prosecutor’s Office had been notified of the case. The Service called for the inviolability of the individuals under its protection to be respected and reminded the public that attempts to breach it require its officers to act in accordance with the law. The Service’s management stated that all necessary steps had been taken to establish the full circumstances of the incident.

Following the publication of footage of the incident on social media, strong political reactions ensued.

GERB called for the resignation of the Speaker of Parliament.

The leader of 'We Continue the Change', Asen Vasilev, also called for her resignation and sharply criticised the Speaker of Parliament for not getting out of the car.

Ivaylo Mirchev called on the President to demand an immediate explanation and seek accountability, as the Service reports to the Head of State.

The leader of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF), Delyan Peevski, called on Prime Minister Radev to remove Mihaela Dotsova from the post of Speaker of Parliament and on President Iotova to dismiss the head of the NSP.

Vazrazhdane called for the resignation of the Head of State.

In a statement to the media, President Iliana Iotova unequivocally condemned “the unacceptable and excessive reaction of an NSP officer towards journalist Sonya Koltuklieva. Such behaviour is unacceptable and cannot be justified by the performance of official duties. Journalists must be able to carry out their work freely and without fear.”

The Head of State expects the report on the investigation ordered into the incident to be submitted as a matter of urgency, the circumstances to be fully clarified, and accountability to be ensured if any violations are established. She added that, during an election campaign, when political tensions are running high on all sides, she calls on everyone to act responsibly and with restraint and to comply strictly with the laws of the country.

The Emergency Department of the Military Medical Academy (MMA) reported that a patient from the journalistic community had been admitted and had undergone the necessary medical examinations, consultations and procedures to assess their health condition. Following their completion, the patient was discharged for treatment at home.