The Executive Board of “Yes, Bulgaria“ filed a signal to the State Agency for National Security (SANS) and the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office (SGP), in connection with an application submitted to the commercial register and the register of legal entities by attorney. Ana Ivanova Panayotova, attorney-in-fact of the company "SOK KAMCHIYA", for registration of changes in the executive director and members of the board of directors.
This is reported by the party.
The registration of these new circumstances carries potential risks of circumventing the sanction regimes. The same interpretation was given by the Registry Agency in its refusal on a similar application from 2024. In its arguments for the refusal, the Agency indicates that the City of Moscow, through its bodies, controls and aims to restore direct influence over the company in violation of the regime. In this case, the change in the representation of “SOK KAMCHIYA” EAD would reactivate management rights, which by their nature lead to the restoration of control by a body of the Russian Federation (City of Moscow). This constitutes an indirect provision of economic resources in violation of the law.
Inclusion of new circumstances that allow for the management of an asset on the territory of Bulgaria by a Russian state body, especially under established sanctions, may lead to a threat to the national security of the country and international relations. “SOK KAMCHIYA” EAD owns sensitive assets and infrastructure of public importance, including a base with access to the Black Sea, assets in education and tourism. The reactivation of operational control by a Russian public body could be used for potential hybrid operations and real economic pressure.
Similar actions also fall under the scope of competence of the State Agency “National Security” in relation to actions taken by a foreign state aimed at influencing through economic, legal or organizational means.
It should also be taken into account that “SOK KAMCHIYA” EAD owns infrastructure of national importance - marine properties, a children's camp complex, access to the coastline, opportunities for concentration of people and media influence. Acquisition of operational control over such an asset by a Russian public structure, in the face of tense geopolitical relations and hybrid actions by Russia, creates a real threat to economic and territorial security.