Bulgaria’s Defence Chief General Botsev dies
Bulgaria’s Defence Chief, General Andrei Botsev, died on February 27 after a short illness, the Defence Ministry said. He was 61.
“Because of his honourable service in the army, his principled attitude and determination to resolve the most pressing problems in the armed forces, his praiseworthy example as a commander concerned for his subordinates, General Andrei Botsev will leave a lasting mark on the modern military history of Bulgaria,” the Defence Ministry said.
Prime
Minister Boiko Borissov and the leadership of the Defence Ministry
were among those expressing condolences.
The order was given
for the national flag to be flown at half-mast and by order of
Defence Minister Krassimir Karakachanov, all Defence Ministry and
Bulgarian Army public events up to March 2 have been
cancelled.
Botsev was born on November 26 1959 in Gotse
Delchev. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in 1981. His commands
included a rifle regiment, the Armoured Brigade, Mountain Brigade,
the Land Forces, and he was appointed Chief of Defence in 2017, with
the rank of general. Botsev was the recipient of numerous military
honours and awards.
He is survived by his wife and two children.
