Bulgaria to Amend Criminal Code to Counter Threat of Terrorism

Bulgaria’s government has proposed to amend the Criminal Code to provide adequate legal response to the threat of terrorism.

The amendments, to be submitted to Parliament for approval, will close gaps in Bulgarian criminal law that potential terrorists could use to escape justice.

The proposed changes are also in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 2178 against terrorism, the cabinet said in a statement.

In the resolution, adopted unanimously in September last year, the Security Council condemned violent extremism and decided that UN member states shall, consistent with international law, prevent the “recruiting, organizing, transporting or equipping of individuals who travel to a state other than their states of residence or nationality for the purpose of the perpetration, planning of, or participation in terrorist acts”.

The changes also provide for imposing restrictions on the movement of individuals who are travelling for the purpose of delivering or obtaining training in terrorist activities.

The planned amendments create the basis for bringing criminal charges against any individual taking part in financing, planning or preparing acts of terrorism or supporting such acts.

Crossing Bulgaria’s borders with the intention of committing acts of terrorism in a foreign country will be also punishable under the proposed amendments. The individual’s consent to undergo training in terrorist activities will also be considered a crime.

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