Sofia News Agency

Bulgaria’s former Prime Minister and leader of the right-wing Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB) party, Ivan Kostov, stated the Russian Security Services and Bulgaria’s Communist Security structures are behind the Bulgarian mafia.

Kostov spoke Wednesday in an interview for the TV channel bTV, saying those forces can attempt to trigger a political crisis in Bulgaria.

The former PM further told bTV that the “Octopus” operation could end being just the first episode of a long and difficult war.

Kostov extended congratulations to PM, Boyko Borisov, Interior Minister, Tsvetan Tsvetanov, Chief Prosecutor, Boris Velchev and the leadership of the State Agency for National Security (DANS) for their involvement in the “Octopus” operation and their courage to attempt returning the State to its citizens.

The DSB leader appealed to President, Georgi Parvanov, to take a stand, prove that there is no ground for all doubts surrounding his sponsors, and side with Borisov, Velchev and Tsvetanov.

The former PM added that during his term he tried to begin the war against the mafia, but failed because the Prosecution was countering his efforts.

Kostov declared the firm support on the right wing in combating mafia that has taken over the country in the last 8 years.

14 people were arrested on February 10 in Operation Octopus when police searched the offices of the alleged ringleader, Aleksei Petrov, at the Spartak pool complex, which he owns, together with a number of other premises around Sofia.