SOFIA, Aug. 17, 2025 – The escalating dispute between President Rumen Radev and figures associated with Delyan Peevski over National Security Service (NSO) protection has intensified, with Radev firing back at criticism concerning his own security detail. The conflict ignited after former Interior Minister and current Member of Parliament kalin Stoyanov repeatedly questioned Radev about the NSO and the president’s security.
Radev responded to Stoyanov by posing his own questions: “Why are there MPs who are guarded by both the NSO and the gendarmerie? And these guards are with them and through all their voyages abroad?” he asked journalists, adding, “These are questions that are worth answering, as well as various forthcoming purchases at a gas station and so on.” While not naming names, his remarks clearly targeted Delyan Peevski, the leader of MRF-New Beginning.
hours later, Ivaylo Mirchev, an MP for PP-DB and leader of “Yes, Bulgaria,” posted his own sharp response. “One deputy in Bulgaria uses the highest level of NSO security-with the highest class of armored car (Mercedes S680 Guard, of which there are only three in our country and cost 1 million levs),” Mirchev wrote, directly referencing the NSO’s protection of Peevski, a topic Radev had raised.
Mirchev questioned how Peevski came to be guarded by the NSO, noting that his protection was reportedly removed in 2020 after an incident in Rosenets. According to Mirchev, this reinstatement stemmed from a supposed tip from Western partner services to SANS, alleging a Russian GRU (military intelligence) squad was operating in Bulgaria with intent to assassinate political leaders aiding Ukraine. Mirchev listed several critical questions:
* Who and how decided to reinstate NSO security for Peevski?
* Who fabricated a false signal from Western services to justify Peevski’s NSO protection?
* What is SANS’s role in this process?
* assuming the signal had some authenticity, why does Peevski still receive NSO and gendarmerie protection over two years later, and until recently, riot police?
* Is there an internal investigation into the Russian GRU signal and its authenticity?
* Why can one individual use national security as a personal shield, turning institutions into instruments of their power?
The PP-DB coalition had previously inquired about peevski’s use of two NSO supercars, but the NSO cited secrecy stamps on relevant documents. President Radev also remained silent on the legal basis for the security service’s actions.
“In the last few days, we’ve observed Mr. Delyan Peevski traveling in a private car accompanied by two NSO vehicles,” the coalition stated, highlighting the Mercedes S680 Guard as one of the NSO’s most expensive vehicles used for escorts in Sofia.
Meanwhile, Kalin Stoyanov turned his attention to President Radev’s own motorcade, questioning its size and composition during a visit to Varna.
