The Russian military intelligence GRU was preparing a coup in Bulgaria on the model of the failed attempt in Montenegro in 2016. This was reported by the investigative journalist Hristo Grozev in an interview for Asen Genov’s “Counter Commentary” show. It should have happened a few months before the one in Podgorica, reports 24 hours.
According to Grozev, the scenario was the same as in Montenegro. About 700 people were supposed to attack the parliament and start shooting. He added that the paramilitary formations operating on the territory of Bulgaria also took part in the preparations.
By chance, related to a completely different investigation, the Bulgarian police managed to find out about a coup being prepared and thwart it, said Hristo Grozev, who is wanted by the GRU.
Russia also failed in its coup attempt in Montenegro. At the time, 14 perpetrators, who were later convicted, had planned to seize the parliament building and kill then-Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic. The whole name was to establish a pro-Russian government that would divert the country from its path to the EU and NATO.
After the failed coup attempt, the country joined NATO in June 2017, drawing sharp criticism from the Kremlin and the pro-Russian opposition. Moscow denies having anything to do with the coup attempt.
In 2019, the Supreme Court of Montenegro found the 14 suspects guilty of the failed coup attempt. As organizers, two Russian citizens, considered agents of the GRU, received the largest sentences – Eduard Shishmakov was sentenced to 15 years in prison, and Vladimir Popov – to 12. Both were found guilty on charges of terrorism.
The two leaders of the pro-Russian opposition party Democratic Front received five years behind bars each, and their driver – 18 months. They were accused of conspiring against the country’s constitutional order. Nine Serbian citizens, members of an ultra-nationalist group, were also found guilty.
