Foreign Ministry summons Russia’s ambassador over espionage scandal, she refuses

Eleonora Mitrofanova, Ambassador of the Russian Federation has been summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the Russian espionage scandal but has refused and will send a deputy, Lena Borislavova, head of the political cabinet of PM Kiril Petkov announced at a briefing at the Council of Ministers.

She stated that the government is aware of the circumstances surrounding the investigation, and is working together with the services, while Prime Minister Kiril Petkov is coordinating the work of the Foreign Ministry. Lena Borislavova stated further that the need is being looked into of identifying other individuals who may be calling into question their diplomatic status because they are exercising functions other than diplomatic functions.

“Over the escalation of the situation between Russia and Ukraine, the Bulgarian services are on higher alert and are examining all spheres relevant to our national security,” she said.

Brigadier-General Valentin Tsankov is among the people suspected of spying for Russia, bTV reports. According to the prosecutor’s office, the Russian diplomat acted in collusion with a Bulgarian citizen – a retired general with access to classified information concerning NATO and the EU. /BGNES