Israel: Bulgaria Prevented Terrorist Attack Months Ago

Bulgarian Economy Minister Delyan Dobrev (left) with Israeli Minister of Tourism Stas Mesizhnikov in Sofia Monday. Photo by BGNES

Bulgaria's intelligence and security services have prevented a terrorist attack that was supposed to be perpetrated several months ago, announced Israeli Minister of Tourism Stas Misezhnikov in the wake of the July 18 Burgas bus bombing, which killed 5 Israelis and 1 Bulgarian.

Misezhnikov was on a one-day official visit in Bulgaria Monday. On July 18, 2012, a suicide bomber blasted a bus carrying Israeli tourists at the Sarafovo Airport in Bulgaria's Burgas, killing a total of six people, including the Bulgarian bus driver, and himself. The Israeli government has blamed the pro-Iranian group Hezbollah for the attack in Burgas.

"At the last meeting of the Israeli government two days ago I learned that the Bulgarian intelligence prevented a terrorist attack that was planned several months ago. Unfortunately, such things happen, and out of 100 tries, one can be successful. Unfortunately, the cost in human lives is very, very dear," Misezhnikov said after meetings with the Bulgarian PM and the Bulgarian Jewish community on Monday, as cited by BGNES.

"I think that in this terrorist attack the Bulgarian government has demonstrated very serious professionalism and a very adequate reaction," the Israeli minister added.

During his visit to Bulgaria, Misezhnikov made it clear explicitly that Bulgaria and Israeli will continue to boost their ties, and that his visit to Bulgaria is a positive message urging Israeli tourists to continue visiting Bulgaria.

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