The former long-time instructor in the Specialized Counter-Terrorism Unit Stoyan Saladinov spoke about his experience in the service, the risks during operations and the challenges facing the security system.
On the air of “Offensive with Lyubo Ognyanov“ on NOVA NEWS, he also commented on the recent personnel changes in the Ministry of Interior.
Saladinov, who was the chief instructor in the unit for more than 20 years, spoke about one of the most dramatic situations in his career. During an operation on the border about two decades ago, he was detained by the Serbian authorities. “I was with my boys on a detention operation. "They caught me with the butt of a gun and I ended up in prison," he said. According to him, he was sentenced to five years, but was released after six months.
The former instructor admits that he is not physically afraid during operations, but he is worried about the possibility of a return to the times of organized crime from the 1990s. "These people are unscrupulous," he commented, recalling that he worked actively during the so-called "Mutren years."
Regarding the "Petrokhan" case, Saladinov said that if he had been asked for assistance, he would have helped with his experience. According to him, in such investigations, the work of the special forces is always coordinated with other services. "We never act alone - "The special services also help us," he emphasized.
In recent days, changes have been taking place at the highest levels of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The three deputy directors of the Sofia Directorate of Internal Affairs were dismissed, and last week the SOBT has a new commander - Dragomir Takov. Saladinov commented on Takov, whom he has known for years. "I am glad that he is at the head of the unit. We keep in touch and I know how it works," said the former instructor.
Despite the professional training of the employees in the special units, he believes that at certain times the state has not supported the people in the system enough. "We are some of the most trained and prepared employees, but there were periods when the state abandoned us. That's why many young talents left," Saladinov pointed out.
In addition to his career in the security services, he revealed that he also worked as a stuntman in the cinema and knows some of the actors who appear on the big screen today.