Prime minister Rumen Radev has explained why the authorities did not say sooner that Starlink antennas had been set on fire. Suspects in the 9 October arson were detained in Germany a few days ago.

Two weeks ago, Plamen Tonchev, head of the State Agency for National Security (DANS), told MPs that more sabotage in Bulgaria could not be ruled out.

Earlier on this story: State security chief: more sabotage possible after arson attack on Starlink antennas

Radev spoke to journalists in parliament after an extraordinary session of the National Assembly failed to reach a quorum. MPs were due to question Radev and interior minister Ivan Demerdzhiev about the arson.

"If the interior ministry had made public the names of the people who did it, which we knew, they would have fled the country where they were," Radev said.

Radev said the interior ministry and the security services identified the suspects within hours, but they had already left Bulgaria. Straight after the arson, the ministry alerted a partner country and asked it to keep watch on them. The European arrest warrant procedure was sped up, with all rules followed. Radev said the ministry and the services deserve congratulations.

"We respect the separation of powers, and as the executive we cannot interfere in the work of the Bulgarian National Assembly," Radev said.

He said the government had been called on to report on the arson and had never refused to appear before MPs.