Bulgaria expels Russian journalist ‘as national security threat’

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - Bulgaria expelled a Russian journalist “as a national security threat,” according to media reports on Wednesday.

Citing the State Agency for National Security (SANS), state-run BTA news agency said a coercive administrative measure concerning Sofia correspondent Alexandr Gatsak of the Russian newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, was prompted by "activity posing a threat to Bulgaria's national security”.

SANS said its actions were intended to protect national security and not restrict freedom of speech and expression.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova threatened countermeasures for Gatsak’s expulsion.

Zakharova said the move was “another unlawful move by NATO against Russian journalists.”