Against this backdrop, Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria Iliana Iotova is considering convening a Consultative Council on National Security. Such calls and demands for an urgent action plan and an analysis of the gaps in our country's security also came today from "Yes, Bulgaria", as well as from Andrey Gyurov.
Following the calls to convene the CCNS, Vice President Iliana Iotova did not rule out the possibility of taking this step so that all measures at the national security level could be discussed. Iliana Iotova, Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria: "Yes, I will consider the issue, as these incidents have become very frequent. Moreover, you can see that the war in the Middle East and Ukraine is escalating, and our security services must also make their positions known."
Iotova also commented on the criticism directed at her regarding the fact that in 2022, while serving as Vice President, she pardoned the convicted drug dealer Ognyan Atanasov, better known as the "Escobar of Petrich". Yesterday, the Presidency explained in a statement that the reason for the pardon was the individual's deteriorating health condition and an expert opinion received from a special medical commission.
Iliana Iotova, Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria: "Whatever I had to say on the matter, we said very comprehensively yesterday in the statement we distributed to all of you." - "Do you still believe, as of today, that your decision was a mistake?" Iliana Iotova, Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria: "There will be more details on the case in a few days."
Iotova added that the country is already in an election campaign and that she had been warned a month ago that any attempt on her part to seek consensus would not be met with a response.