Bulgarian security agent arrested over trying to con foreigners over permanent residence cards, citizenship
Bulgarian prosecutors have arrested a State Agency for National Security (SANS) agent in connection with three crimes, including allegedly trying to dupe two foreigners that he could help them get permanent residence cards.
The agent allegedly also told two other foreigners that he could get them an earlier date to be interviewed by the Ministry of Justice about obtaining Bulgarian citizenship.
The specialist anti-corruption office of the Sofia City Prosecutor’s office is lodging a third charge against the agent, of disclosing state secrets.
Pre-trial proceedings were initiated after prosecutors received a report from SANS that the agent was suspected of involvement in the crimes.
Prosecutors examined documents, interviewed witnesses and, having been authorised by the Sofia City Court on December 15, searched the home of the agent and the SANS headquarters in the Bulgarian capital.
The charges are that between May 17 and August 3, the agent, in return for money, misled two foreigners about obtaining permanent residence, and two other foreigners about getting them an early interview at the Ministry of Justice about getting citizenship.
In doing so, the agent caused financial damage to the four foreigners adding up to 36 247 leva (about 18 500 euro), prosecutors said.
The agent is charged with inciting and abetting an individual to forge the contents of official documents relating to ID cards.
The agent is also charged with divulging a state secret, related to methods of operational investigative and intelligence activities, information about specific individuals where special investigative techniques had been used and information about persons suspected of conducting subversive or terrorist activity.
Currently in 72-hour custody, the agent is to be the subject of an application to Sofia City Court on December 17 to be remanded in continuing custody pending the outcome of his trial.
/Panorama
