Russian Nationals Accused of Falsifying Documents for Bulgarian Citizenship Uncovered

In a startling revelation, the ad hoc committee investigating the activities of Gleb Myshin has uncovered a significant breach in the acquisition of Bulgarian citizenship by Russian citizens. 

Atanas Atanassov, chair of the committee, revealed that a staggering 343 candidates from the Russian Federation seeking Bulgarian citizenship were found to have submitted falsified documents over the past three to four years.

Myshin, purportedly a Ukrainian-born Russian, stands accused of orchestrating a scheme that facilitated Russians acquiring Bulgarian citizenship through suspected document forgery. 

This revelation has raised serious concerns about the integrity of Bulgaria’s citizenship acquisition process, particularly regarding individuals hailing from countries deemed hostile.

Expressing alarm over the implications of this situation, Atanassov emphasized the urgent need for legislative reforms to strengthen the entire process. 

He underscored the necessity of streamlining the operations of the Executive Agency for Bulgarians Abroad, which is responsible for issuing certificates of Bulgarian origin to foreigners. 

Doubts have been raised about the agency’s capability to accurately verify claims of Bulgarian ancestry.

Furthermore, Atanassov called for an evaluation of the structure and functioning of the Bulgarian Citizenship Directorate within the Justice Ministry, aiming to address systemic vulnerabilities and enhance scrutiny in citizenship applications.

During a closed-door meeting, Tsvetan Tsvetanov, Director of the Migration Directorate at the State Agency for National Security (SANS), faced questioning by the committee. 

However, the absence of SANS chairman Plamen Tonchev drew criticism from Atanassov, who questioned SANS’s oversight in detecting Myshin’s activities. The apparent breach raises doubts about the agency’s effectiveness in safeguarding Bulgaria’s national security interests.

Despite Tonchev’s absence, Atanassov stated that summoning him to the next committee meeting was not an immediate necessity. Instead, the committee planned to convene a session on Tuesday, where Tonchev is expected to receive the committee’s findings.

The ad hoc committee, established by parliament in mid-February to investigate Myshin’s activities, continues its inquiry. Atanassov announced plans for another meeting to present a draft report on the committee’s findings, subject to a vote by the members.

As Bulgaria grapples with the fallout of this alleged document forgery scheme, questions linger regarding the integrity of its citizenship acquisition process and the effectiveness of its oversight mechanisms. 

With legislative reforms on the horizon, the nation faces a crucial juncture in fortifying its defenses against potential threats to its citizenship and national security.