Bulgaria expels Russian journalist as an alleged menace to nationwide safety

SOFIA, Bulgaria — SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Bulgaria has expelled a Russian journalist for allegedly participating in actions that pose a menace to the nation’s nationwide safety, authorities stated Wednesday.

The State Company for Nationwide Safety stated Alexander Gatsak, a correspondent for Russian state-run newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, was stripped of his residency rights and barred from coming into Bulgaria and different European Union member nation.

The company stated Gatsak was summoned Sept. 29 to obtain the expulsion order on the Inside Ministry migration workplace, however he didn’t present up and as a substitute took refuge contained in the Russian Embassy in Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia.

The company stated in a press release that it sought the help of the International Ministry and the journalist left Bulgaria on Wednesday. The assertion didn’t elaborate on Gatsak’s alleged actions however stated his removing was carried out in strict compliance with European democratic norms and values.

“The company’s actions are aimed toward defending nationwide safety, not at limiting freedom of speech and expression of opinion,” the company’s assertion stated.

Bulgaria’s BTA information company cited Russian International Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova as threatening countermeasures for Gatsak’s expulsion, which she known as “one other illegal transfer by NATO towards Russian journalists”.

Final yr, Bulgaria expelled 70 members of Russia’s diplomatic workers, a transfer that severely strained diplomatic ties between the 2 international locations, which have been shut allies throughout communist instances. It was the most important variety of Russian diplomats ever expelled by Bulgaria.

Bulgaria, a member of each NATO and the EU, has strongly backed Western sanctions towards Moscow since Russia launched its conflict on Ukraine final yr.