Bulgaria expels the abbot of the Russian church in Sofia for espionage

Bulgaria expels the abbot of the Russian Orthodox church in Sofia on suspicions for espionage.

A few days ago, it emerged that Archimandrite Vassian Zmeyev, along with three Russian diplomats, had been expelled by authorities in North Macedonia over reports that they were Russian spies.

In addition to Archimandrite Vassian, Bulgaria has expelled two other clerics of the "St. Nicholas of Myra” church in Sofia, known as the ‘Russian Church’. They are from Belarus. The State Agency for National Security (SANS) said in a press release that by the chairman's order, the agency had imposed on them compulsory administrative measures of "expulsion", "revocation of the right of residence" and "ban on entry into the Republic of Bulgaria" for a period of five years.

The measures were imposed in connection with their activities against the national security and interests of Bulgaria. Evidence has been established that the above-mentioned persons have influenced public and political processes in the country in favour of Russian geopolitical interests.

The Russian Embassy expressed outrage at the decision and saw an attempt to sever relations between the Russian and Bulgarian Orthodox Churches.