PM Denkov: Bulgaria is not at risk as regards general threats of terrorist activity

Bulgaria is not at risk as regards general threats of terrorist activity, Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov said on October 8 at a briefing in the Council of Ministers after the extraordinary meeting of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre because of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

"Two meetings of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre were held in connection with the start of hostilities between Israel and the Palestinian territories, at which a report was prepared. It was sent to the Minister of Interior, who coordinates counter-terrorism activities in the country. In short, There is no increased threat of terrorist acts in Bulgaria. Terrorism alert for the country remains (the lowest of three levels - "code green"), the Prime Minister explained.

"In terms of airports, train stations, synagogues, tourists from Israel, the terrorism alert has been raised to “code yellow," Denkov said.

He added that for other institutions, the level of danger is classified in the lowest category - green.

The situation is changing very quickly, there is a serious risk of escalation of the conflict and it is possible that the risks will increase dramatically at the global level," Denkov said.

"There is no operational information about the danger of Israeli sites and Israeli citizens, the risk of terrorist infiltration remains with the refugee flows, the national centre suggested to keep a low level of alert in the country," said Plamen Tonchev - chairman of the State Agency for National Security (SANS).

On the afternoon of October 8, a Bulgarian government aircraft from Tel Aviv arrived in Sofia, carrying a group of Bulgarians who had asked to be repatriated.

A second flight to Tel Aviv is scheduled to take off tonight, at 7.30 p.m. We have received permission from the Israeli authorities," Transport Minister Georgi Gvozdeikov said.

He said that 68 Bulgarians have so far expressed their wish to be evacuated from Israel, but the number could increase.

“We are glad that thanks to the government aircraft flight our compatriots are already in Bulgaria. Our common message is care for our compatriots and coordinated action," said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mariya Gabriel.