Vasil Terziev performs his functions as the capital's mayor without having access to classified information. This creates prerequisites for unregulated access and violations of the law. DANS has written three times to remind Vasil Terziev as mayor to fulfill his obligations.
This is clear from the written answer of acting Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev to a question put to him by the GERB-SDS deputy and former chairman of the Metropolitan Municipal Council Georgi Georgiev.
According to the information provided by the Prime Minister, the Mayor of Sofia has for a long time delayed the submission of documents for the initiation of the necessary procedure for a reliability study - according to the Law on the Protection of Classified Information. He took these actions only on July 16, 2024, and he has been the capital's mayor since mid-November 2023.
Georgi Georgiev asks the caretaker prime minister, in connection with “various allegations that have appeared in the public space”, whether access to classified information of the mayor of the Metropolitan Municipality is provided. His question, which is published in the online register of the National Assembly, is from July 8, reports “Aktualno“.
Dimitar Glavchev's answer came on July 18, after the Prime Minister requested information from the State Agency “National Security” (DANCE).
On November 13, 2023, Terziev assumed the position of mayor of Sofia and acquired the title of head of an organizational unit. Pursuant to the PPE, the head of the organizational unit of the Metropolitan Municipality directs, organizes and controls the activity on the protection of classified information, which determines the need for an access permit. In addition, the mayor also has duties related to countering terrorism, defense-mobilization preparation and bringing the Municipality of Sofia to readiness for work in wartime or other emergency situations, presides over the Security Council.
The Metropolitan Municipality has defined a list of positions or tasks for which access to classified information representing a state secret is required. The mayor of Sofia is included in the list and must have access to classified information – up to the “Top Secret” level, it is clear from Glavchev's answer.
He points out that DANS has sent three letters to the mayor – in January, February and March 2024 to inform him of his obligation to submit documents for the initiation of the necessary procedure, namely a reliability study under the PPE. “Refusal of research is an obstacle to the fulfillment of the duties of the municipal administration (...) and creates prerequisites for unregulated access,” reads the answer of the acting prime minister.
From July 1 to September 30, 2024, a scheduled inspection has been ordered for the implementation of direct access to the protection of classified information by the DANS authorities in Sofia Municipality.
„The checking commission has established that the Mayor of the Metropolitan Municipality did not fulfill his obligation to submit documents for a reliability study and for the issuance of an access permit”, it is clear from the information provided.
At the beginning of this month, on July 4, Terziev was also issued an act of establishing an administrative violation (AUAN). On July 11, the capital's mayor filed an objection with a request to terminate the proceedings. Five days later, Terziev submitted documents to start the reliability investigation procedure, according to Dimitar Glavchev's information.