SANS: Russian citizen Alexander Gatsak left Bulgaria today

The correspondent of the newspaper "Rossiyskaya Gazeta", Alexander Gatsak, left Bulgaria on November 1 after the State Agency for National Security (SAN) issued an order to revoke his right of residence in Bulgaria, expel him from the country and ban him from entering and staying on the territory of the EU member states.

The compulsory administrative measures imposed on him are due to "activities posing a threat to the national security of the Republic of Bulgaria", the SANS said.

On 29 of Septemebr, 2023, Gatsak was summoned to the "Migration Directorate" of the Ministry of Interior to be served with the order, and later - to the building of the State Agency for National Security. The Russian citizen refused to appear before the Bulgarian state authorities and went into hiding on the territory of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Bulgaria, the agency said.

In this regard, the State Agency for National Security has requested assistance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria.

SANS issued an expulsion order against a Russian journalist for intelligence activities in the country

The case came to light after yesterday's publication by Rossiyskaya Gazeta, followed by a reaction from the Russian Foreign Ministry.

On Telegram, the ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote that Russia would retaliate to the actions of the Bulgarian authorities.

The State Agency for National Security carries out its activities in strict compliance with the legislation of the Republic of Bulgaria and the European Union and with European democratic norms and values. The Agency's actions are aimed at protecting national security and not at restricting freedom of speech and expression, the SANS said.