Daniel Mitov Defends Silence on “Petrohan” Case, Warns of NGO “Parallel State”

Sofia, Bulgaria – Former Minister of Interior Daniel Mitov has defended his decision not to publicly comment on the details of the “Petrohan” case while in office, citing the demand to avoid politicizing the investigation. Mitov, now a Member of Parliament with GERB-UDF, made the remarks to reporters on March 15, 2026, as reported by the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA).

The “Petrohan” Case: A Summary

The “Petrohan” case involves the deaths of five men and a 15-year-old boy, whose bodies were discovered in two locations in Northwestern Bulgaria – a lodge near the Petrohan Pass and a camper van near Okolchitsa Peak – between February 1 and February 8. Forensic analysis indicated that the deaths at the lodge were the result of gunshot wounds consistent with suicide, while those in the camper van were determined to be homicide followed by suicide. BTA

Mitov’s Explanation for Silence

Mitov explained that as Minister of Interior, commenting on an ongoing investigation of such magnitude would have opened him up to accusations of political interference or predetermining the outcome. He stated he preferred to allow the investigation to proceed without public commentary and for professionals to present the facts once they were established. He also noted that current caretaker Interior Minister Emil Dechev is following a similar approach.

Report on Ivaylo Kalushev and GDBOP

Mitov revealed that a report filed with the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (GDBOP) in 2022 concerning Ivaylo Kalushev, the founder of the National Agency for Control of Protected Areas (NACPT), had been “lost” within the system. The report was initially filed by one of the individuals involved in the “Petrohan” case, Valeri Andreev, and prompted an investigation within GDBOP. However, the case was subsequently transferred to the prosecutor’s office, where progress stalled. BTA

Concerns About NGO Influence

Mitov expressed concern about the growing influence of activist non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and their integration into state functions under the current government (PP-DB). He warned that these NGOs are being used to create a “system for mutual protection” and could potentially obstruct investigations. He specifically cited a letter from the Anti-Corruption Fund as a potential attempt to intimidate investigators. BTA

Criticism of Teodora Georgieva

Mitov also criticized Teodora Georgieva, referring to her as a “broken flag” in the fight against corruption within the PP-DB coalition. He pointed to her removal as a European prosecutor following an assessment by the European Prosecutor’s Office, which cited significant violations. BTA

Investigation into Kalushev’s NGO

In February 2026, the Ministry of Interior published a report detailing its investigation into the activities of the association linked to Ivaylo Kalushev. The investigation was prompted by an order from Interior Minister Daniel Mitov dated February 5, 2026, and examined signals and complaints connected to the NACPT. The inspection identified reports alleging sexual abuse of minors and the production of pornographic materials involving children. Interviews with witnesses and parents revealed claims of abuse, including sexual exploitation. Novinite