An assassination attempt takes months to prepare, but in the case of Ivan Geshev, it probably happened in hours – he was followed and they were waiting for him to return by the same route. This is what the former head of the NSO, Todor Kodzheykov, told bTV.
“The security measures are tailored to the situation and all the information acquired for the protected person. If there was information, if there were alerts over a long period of time, it is normal for the guarded person, in this case the Prosecutor General, to be in an armored car for reasons of security and safety,” he explained.
Todor Kodzheykov emphasized that both he and his predecessors and successors at the highest post in the National Security Service fought for the necessary technical security to ensure the safety of the protected persons. However, they were always told that there was no financial possibility.
He also pointed out that the NSO’s vehicle fleet is very old. However, the service endeavors to maintain them in good technical condition in order to fulfill its duties. Kodzheykov also called on the state to take care of the guarded persons by purchasing more armored cars.
“People have said it: When milk is curdled, cats don’t curdle it.” The head does not hurt from safety measures,” said the former head of the NSO. However, he emphasized that not all Bulgarian politicians should ride in armored cars – they should be reserved only for those for whom there is proof that they are in danger.
“The route of the protected person can be changed at the last minute. This is often done. Even in certain cases it is useful. This can contribute to avoiding a certain moment – with the placement of an explosive device along the route,” explained Todor Kodzheykov and added that the security guards do not participate in determining the plan of the guarded person.
He also said that in the case of the attempted assassination of the chief prosecutor Ivan Geshev, the people who prepared the attempt had between two and four hours available. “They knew he was at an event with junior prosecutors. They had time to prepare,” he further explained and indirectly denied the accusations that a person from the NSO had submitted information about the route.
“An attempt is prepared for about a month or two. This is provided that the protected person moves along the same route over a long period of time. But I can’t say about the specific case. It is possible that he was followed and at the moment when the motorcade passed, they loaded the bomb and were waiting for him to return,” Todor Kodzheykov further explained.
2023-05-02 15:48:00
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