Bulgaria presses terrorism, weapons smuggling charges against Swiss citizen who tried to reach Idlib
Bulgaria’s Special Prosecutor’s office has pressed charges of terrorism and arms smuggling against a Swiss citizen who attempted to cross the border into Turkey en route to Syria, the Prosecutor-General’s office said on September 13.
The Swiss citizen was detained at the Kapitan Andreevo border checkpoint on September 11 in a joint operation by the Border Police, State Agency for National Security and Special Prosecutor’s office.
In his Swiss-registered vehicle, three rifles, a pistol, about 400 bullets and other weapons including 24 knives were found.
In his personal belongings, there was a map with notes on his intended route, to Idlib in Syria.
The Swiss authorities had put information in the Schengen Information System about the Swiss citizen and the vehicle, with a note that he was armed.
Information also was passed on that his father had told police that his son had disappeared with the car, and that firearms and ammunition were missing.
The Swiss citizen told prosecutors that he “wanted to help civilians in Syria”. He was ordered into 24-hour custody on September 12, and the Special Criminal Court was to hold a detention hearing on September 14, the Prosecutor’s Office said. A psychiatric examination has been ordered.
(Photo: Prosecutor-General’s office)
