General Kircho Kirov was the head of the National Intelligence Service of Bulgaria from February 2003 to January 2012.
Career edit
Kirov was appointed as head of the NIS in February 2003 (initially in an acting capacity) by President Georgi Purvanov.[1][2] He briefly served as an advisor to Prime Minister Boiko Borissov, but was fired after two months.[1][3]
Trials edit
In August 2015, Kirov was sentenced to 10 years in prison for misappropriation of public funds and violations of financial discipline.[4]
In January 2018, after a second trial, Kirov was sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of embezzling 5.1 million lev.[1] He was convicted of ordering a subordinate to embezzle funds from the NIS budget.[3]
Kirov denied the allegations, claiming the prosecution was politically motivated.[3]
References edit
- ^ a b c "Bulgarian former intelligence chief handed second sentence on embezzlement charges". January 23, 2018. Archived from the original on January 24, 2018.
- ^ Jane's Intelligence Digest: The Global Early-warning Service. Jane's Information Group. 2003. p. 82.
The country's current president (and former chairman of the Bulgarian Socialist Party before winning the presidential election in 2001), dismissed Gayurov in February 2003 and appointed colonel Kircho Kirov as acting director of the NIS until the country adopts a new national security law regulating supervision and co-ordination of the security services.
- ^ a b c Krasimirov, Angel (January 23, 2018). Graff, Peter (ed.). "Bulgaria ex-spy chief sentenced to 15 years for misappropriation of funds". Reuters.
- ^ Reuters (August 7, 2015). "Former Bulgarian Intel Chief Sentenced to 10 Years". Voice of America.
Bulgaria's former intelligence chief Kircho Kirov was sentenced to 10 years in jail on Friday for misappropriation of public funds and violations of financial discipline, prosecutors said. Kirov, convicted for misappropriating nearly 5 million levs ($2.8 million) and filing for more than 1,000 non-existent expenses between 2007 and 2011, denied any wrongdoing and will appeal the verdict.
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