Bulgaria arrests 12 people for alleged planning to export over $4M military goods to Russia

By Ahmet Gencurk

ATHENS (AA) – Bulgaria has arrested 12 people for allegedly exporting military goods to Russia in violation of the European Union sanctions, local media reported.

The smuggling ring attempted to deliver the goods, which included optical sights, ballistic meters, and aviation radios, among other things, to Russian special forces in Ukraine, the broadcaster bTV reported on Tuesday.

The value of the dual-use goods is estimated to be around €4 million (approximately $4.24 million), which the ring purchased in the country and planned to transport via Sofia Airport, the media outlet claimed, adding that the foreigners, including Russian and Belarussian nationals, are among those arrested.

The ring was part of a European-wide network that attempted to collect dual-use goods for shipment to Russia, it added.