Bulgarian Intelligence Denies Hezbollah Connection to Explosions
In a recent statement, the Bulgarian National Intelligence Service has firmly denied allegations regarding the transfer of explosive pagers manufactured by a Hungarian company to Hezbollah via Bulgarian territory. This denial follows a report from the Hungarian news outlet, Telex, which suggested that a Sofia-based company was involved in the import and subsequent sale of these pagers to the militant group. The incident has raised significant concerns, especially after the tragic explosions in Lebanon that resulted in 32 fatalities and thousands of injuries.
Investigation Underway Amidst Controversy
The Bulgarian National Security Agency has announced that it is conducting an investigation alongside the National Tax Authority and the Ministry of Interior to ascertain the involvement of the Bulgarian-registered company in the supply of communications equipment to Hezbollah. This inquiry comes in light of claims made by Telex, which stated that the devices were purchased from Taiwan and sold to Hezbollah without ever passing through Hungary. The Hungarian government has corroborated this information, emphasizing that the implicated company is merely a commercial intermediary with no operational capacity in Hungary.
Rising Death Toll and International Repercussions
As the situation unfolds, Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad reported that the death toll from the explosions involving the pagers and Icom wireless communications devices has tragically reached 32, with thousands more injured. The investigation into the origins and modifications of these devices prior to their transfer to Lebanon is ongoing, with speculation that tampering may have occurred during the transportation process. The implications of these findings could have far-reaching effects on international relations and security protocols in the region.
