Report to international agencies

MEP Elena Yoncheva has sent an official report to Europol and Interpol, accusing the Bulgarian Ministry of the Interior of politically motivated abuse of data from the PNR (Passenger Name Record) system.

"These tools have been used for politically motivated purposes, outside the strict legal framework of the European Union," stated Yoncheva.

Main violations and concerns

  • Lack of judicial oversight: The published documents do not contain prosecutorial or judicial authorizations for the processing of sensitive data.
  • Violation of Directive (EU) 2016/681: PNR data is intended solely for combating terrorism and serious crimes, not for monitoring political figures.
  • Infringement of fundamental rights: Yoncheva emphasizes that any interference with privacy must comply with the principles of legality and proportionality.

Reaction from the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS)

The DPS informed that in addition to the international report, they have also referred the matter to the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office, requesting a full investigation into the actions of the Minister of the Interior, which were carried out without the necessary oversight. The case raises serious questions regarding data protection in Bulgaria and the independence of law enforcement authorities.