Bulgaria expels 70 Russian diplomats over spying allegations

By Ihvan Radoykov

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AA) – Bulgaria is expelling 70 Russian diplomats after declaring them persona non grata, the country's outgoing prime minister said on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters in parliament, Kiril Petkov said they will send 70 diplomats "working against Bulgaria's interests" back to their country.

"Most of these people work for other services. They used their diplomatic title only as a cover," he said.

The expelled diplomats are expected to leave Sofia on Sunday, Petkov said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday said it summoned Bulgarian Ambassador Atanas Krastin and handed him a note about the expulsion of Bulgarian diplomats from Moscow.

On March 18, Bulgaria declared 10 Russian diplomats persona non grata, accusing them of "activities incompatible with diplomatic status."