Български
EnglishIvelin Mihaylov (Ивелин Михайлов) told BNT (Bulgarian National Teleision) that Bulgaria needs full neutrality in the Middle East and an urgent purge of state services from mafia influence.
Neutrality in global conflicts
Bulgaria must maintain full neutrality in the current conflict between the Western powers and Iran. Ivelin Mihaylov points to the country’s lack of preparedness for participation in large-scale military action. Bulgarian services rely solely on external assistance to guarantee security. Those external services are currently focused primarily on their own safety. The government of Borissov and Peevski knew about the coming tension as early as three months ago. The authorities did not take the necessary measures to protect Bulgarian citizens. The world is entering a period of serious territorial changes that could also affect neighboring Turkey. Mihaylov calls for a focus on the country’s internal economic stability and political strengthening.
Breach in national security and the services
The Bulgarian services are allowing a serious leakage of information. Mafia structures control the police and the units for combating organized crime. The caretaker government of Andrey Gyurov (Андрей Гюров) and President Rumen Radev (Румен Радев) bear responsibility for purging these structures. Previous government decisions on air policing by Greece will not produce results. Israel’s air defense systems did not fully stop Iran’s strikes. Bulgaria must not take actions that would turn it into a target for terrorist attacks.
The takeover of strategic sites in Varna
The mafia in Varna is systematically destroying and taking over the city’s atomic shelters. These sites are falling into the hands of individuals working for the interests of the Arab world and organized crime. State institutions have ignored reports of these violations for two years. Mihaylov links vote buyer Daniel Slabov (Даниел Слабов) to these illegal activities. Spies are collecting data on Bulgaria’s defense industry. The lack of reaction from Borissov and Peevski shows their dependence on these elements.
Political dependencies and replacement of senior officials
In Bulgarian politics there is a symbiosis among the main players such as Borissov, Peevski, and Radev. The appointment of the caretaker government is coordinated between the president and his team. The replacement of regional governors and directors of district police departments is a mandatory step. The Ministry of Interior in Varna works in the interest of organized criminal groups. The authorities must replace not only the chiefs, but also their deputies. The second tier in the ministries often serves as a reserve part of the old model of governance.
Institutional pressure and public support
Ivelin Mihaylov reveals cases of extortion by the Commission for Countering Corruption (КПК). Employees of the commission pressured him to move into the camp of Peevski and Borissov. He expected his arrest in December, but the fall of the cabinet ruined those plans. Polling agencies deliberately show low results for the Velichie political party (Величие). The real support can be seen during meetings with Bulgarians in Germany and at the celebrations on March 3. People recognize authentic actions and are mobilizing for the upcoming vote on April 19.
Below is a detailed and complete text of the conversation, edited grammatically for better readability.
Introduction and Bulgaria’s geopolitical position
Host: We now turn to politics. Fourteen parties and ten coalitions will take part in the elections on April 19. It is clear that we will vote with paper ballots and machines in up to 20 polling stations in countries outside the European Union. For most parties, the campaign has already begun. Velichie political party (Величие) is with Bulgarians abroad every week. We now join Ivelin Mihaylov live from Germany. Hello, Mr. Mihaylov.
Ivelin Mihaylov: Hello.
Host: Let us begin, if you wish, with the fact that you are in Germany. We know that the country is part of a group now called the E3, which also includes France and the United Kingdom. They are taking joint defensive measures against Iran. Where should Bulgaria stand? By the way, is Bulgaria’s position clear to you? You are in parliament every day when you are not abroad, of course. What is Bulgaria’s position? Is it clear?
Ivelin Mihaylov: Bulgaria’s position at the moment should be completely neutral. After a question from me to the services – to Military Intelligence and the other services – about how the security of Bulgarian citizens against terrorist acts is being guaranteed, what they said was that security is being guaranteed by foreign services. And the foreign services are currently busy guaranteeing their own security. Sometimes there is even the possibility that foreign services themselves may carry out certain acts in order to inflame tensions further – we have had such cases from the Second World War and afterward. For that reason, since we have zero preparation for such a conflict, what we must do at this moment is remain 100% neutral. We must focus on repairing our internal economic and political stability, because Bulgaria is in a very bad position in very turbulent times.
Threats to territorial integrity and the nuclear umbrella
Ivelin Mihaylov: Now, after Iran, there is a possibility of changes in Turkey’s territorial integrity because of Kurdish movements, and this could rearrange the geopolitical picture. Very difficult times await us in Bulgaria.
Host: You looked quite far ahead – all the way to the reformatting of Turkey’s territory. Let us not go that far. Tell us, is a Consultative Council for National Security needed under the President, and should Bulgaria be covered by France’s so-called “nuclear umbrella”? This is something that Democratic Bulgaria’s DSB has been discussing during the week.
Ivelin Mihaylov: Well, look, the coverage of bases with American bases in the countries of the Arabian Peninsula led to them becoming targets. At the moment we must not move further into a territory that, as you can see, is changing radically throughout the world. The world is truly being overtaken by actions that have nothing to do with international law – on both sides international law is being violated, and there are no rules or guarantees for any country. For that reason, neutrality comes first. Holding more consultations at the moment is pointless, because we have nothing to tell them. One always acts for a problem before it appears. That is why there should have been contingency planning. This should have been planned by the harmful government as something likely, especially since information emerged that for three months it had been known that this would happen. Which means that the government of Borissov and Peevski should have taken the necessary measures, and only then should the parties have gathered. But unfortunately, at the moment it is far too late. We must observe neutrality, uphold international law, and see what humanitarian help we can provide.
The caretaker government and the security of the skies
Host: I understand. You were quite impressed by the choice of Andrey Gyurov as caretaker prime minister. Do you approve of the measures taken by the government so far? For example, the fact that it turned to Greece to protect our airspace – was that the right move?
Ivelin Mihaylov: I am telling you again, at the moment no actions can have any effect, because they are after the fact. In the planning of military action, these situations are anticipated. As we can see, at the moment we have a test by Iran of the air defense and aviation of Greece and Turkey. This is only a rehearsal – they are testing to see how the air defense systems and aviation work. At some point, if it comes to larger actions, believe me, they have a prepared plan under which neither F-16s nor Patriots will help, as we saw in the Gulf countries and in Israel. There they have the most advanced air defense, they have F-35 aircraft, which are much more advanced than F-16s, and in huge quantities, yet they are unable to stop anything. So let us pray that we do not become a target.
The mafia in the services and the link to the president
Ivelin Mihaylov: The most important thing is for Andrey Gyurov and Rumen Radev, because they also participate in some way in this government, to ensure that the mafia structure is removed from the Bulgarian services, the Bulgarian police, and the Bulgarian units for combating organized crime. At the moment we are like a leaking bucket – no matter how much water we pour into it, it will all leak out.
Host: Please clarify exactly what you know and in what sense you say that Rumen Radev is part of this government. Through whom does he participate?
Ivelin Mihaylov: We cannot say there is no connection between Rumen Radev and Vice President Yotova. These are people who have worked together for nine years – they are 100% part of one team. Just as in the political space we have a symbiosis between Borissov and Peevski, between Borissov and Kostadinov, between Borissov and Da, Bulgaria, and between Peevski and BSP, in the same way there is a symbiosis between Yotova and President Rumen Radev. So the appointment of this government and the selection of the respective people are in some way synchronized with Rumen Radev as well.
The scandal over atomic shelters in Varna
Ivelin Mihaylov: Let me give you another example. In Varna there is destruction of an atomic shelter. A check has now been carried out on shelters across the country, which are being massively taken over by the mafia. In Varna it was stolen precisely by such elements, who are double spies for the Arab world and Bulgaria, working together with organized crime. And this is despite our signals over the past two years.
Host: What do they need these shelters for?
Ivelin Mihaylov: Look, spies always carry out sabotage in order to weaken a country. They destroy atomic shelters, destroy the defense industry, and provide data so that tomorrow, in the event of strikes, they will have information. Varna has been completely compromised. This has been known for two years. Borissov and Peevski are not taking measures because the main vote buyer – Daniel Slabov-Dankata from Varna – is also the man working with these people. But Rumen Radev and Andrey Gyurov can take measures. If they do not, that leads us to think there is some kind of symbiosis between Borissov and Radev.
The reshuffles in the Ministry of Interior and among regional governors
Host: Do you approve of the actions of the Minister of the Interior and the replacement of the directors of the district departments? By the way, Mr. Gyurov also replaced all regional governors. Borissov criticized this, saying they had oriented themselves in the situation very quickly, as if they had been preparing for months to govern.
Ivelin Mihaylov: This absolutely must be done. We know that the Ministry of Interior has been compromised, especially in Varna. The director of the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior there was a man who was 100% part of this organized criminal group and was making illegitimate and unlawful decisions. That is why these individuals must be replaced. But here the chiefs of the district departments and their deputies must also be replaced. Why? Because if we replace only the first group and the second remain, they are like the “spare part” working in the wheel of Borissov and Peevski.
Host: Were you able to follow the case of former Bulgarian European prosecutor Teodora Georgieva, who as of today has been assigned protection because of testimony that she was pressured by a senior prosecutor and taken to Petyo Euroto? She accuses politicians of exerting pressure.
Ivelin Mihaylov: I am following it. I cannot say exactly what the situation is, but after I myself was extorted by the Commission for Countering Corruption (КПК) to move toward Peevski and Borissov, and after they arrested my people... After we showed a recording with Mario Rangelov – a member of parliament who was from the APS group (АПС) and was pressured by Delyan Peevski to become independent and vote with the DPS political party (ДПС)... After we have indisputable evidence with recordings and witnesses, then what the European prosecutor says is 100% possible as well.
The threat of arrest and support from voters
Host: You also expected to be arrested. I remember our previous conversation – you expected it at any moment. They did not do it. Does that mean they are somehow controlling you now?
Ivelin Mihaylov: No. When they make an unsubstantiated attempt to arrest someone and, at the same time, the government is changing, it is normal for that attempt to collapse and for there then to be consequences for the people who made it. For that reason, the fall of the government saved us. The previous government was truly the most arrogant and the most unscrupulous in the history of Bulgaria. They move step by step: first step, second step... The arrests of my people were on November 27 or 28. The government fell, and it was known that it would fall around December 10. First they arrest people, then they try to negotiate with me, and only then do they move to my arrest. My arrest was planned for around December 20, but the fall of the government spoiled their scheme.
Host: Where do you expect support from? The polling data is not especially favorable to you.
Ivelin Mihaylov: It was the same in previous elections, but we managed to mobilize people. Just look, I will show you something – these are some of the people here in Germany who stayed after the meeting. Everywhere we have enormous support. On March 3, more people came to the park than to Shipka and Stara Zagora combined. This is “field sociology” – people see what we are doing and support it.
Host: All right, thank you. I wish you success. Ivelin Mihaylov, leader of the Velichie political party (Величие). We joined him live from Germany.
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