Prosecutors dismiss espionage claims against the Bulgarian Orthodox Church

Bulgarian prosecutors dismissed on Wednesday (2 July) an alert suggesting the Orthodox Church might be aiding Russian influence operations by recruiting Bulgarian youth for theological studies in Moscow. The alert, submitted by an opposition MP, was initially deemed plausible by local prosecution, but then rejected by city-level prosecutors, who ruled that no criminal offence had occurred.

The formal alert to the prosecutor’s office was submitted on 18 June by MP Kristina Petkova from the pro-European Democratic Bulgaria – We Continue the Change coalition (PP–DB).

“The prosecution believes there is evidence of a possible crime under Article 105 of the Penal Code – espionage in favour of a foreign state – in connection with my alert regarding the actions of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC), led by Patriarch Daniil, involving sending young people to study in Russian theological institutions,” Petkova wrote on 1 July in a social media post, attaching a copy of a ruling by the Prosecutor’s Office.

But the case was dismissed on the next day, just a week after it was transferred to the city-level prosecutors.

Enemies by decree, brothers by choice

Only hours after news of the preliminary probe broke, the Prosecutor’s Office issued a lengthy statement announcing that a decision had been made not to open pre-trial proceedings. The prosecutor found that there was no evidence of a criminal offence. According to the ruling, Petkova’s signal consisted of “abstract speculation” about the potential future actions of third parties – namely Bulgarian citizens who may travel abroad to pursue religious education. Patriarch Daniil’s letter to diocesan bishops, the prosecutor stated, does not in itself constitute a crime.

To qualify as “placing oneself in the service of a foreign state or organisation,” there must be more than an intention to serve – there must be a formal statement, agreement or demonstrated behaviour from the foreign entity accepting that service, the authorities argue. The prosecutor cited the Bulgarian Constitution and Constitutional Court jurisprudence, underlining that religious communities are autonomous and separate from the state, and that religious freedom and freedom of belief are constitutionally guaranteed.

“It is a publicly known fact that Russia has declared Bulgaria an “unfriendly state”, but that status is not a legal obstacle preventing Bulgarian citizens from pursuing education in the Russian Federation,” the ruling notes. There is no legal prohibition on studying at secular or religious institutions in Russia, and the choice of educational path remains a fundamental civic right and personal decision.

Patriarch Daniil’s Moscow connections under scrutiny

At the heart of the alert lies reporting by Factor.bg, suggesting that Patriarch Daniil instructed all dioceses in Bulgaria to recruit young people for theological studies in institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). The campaign, framed as “brotherly cooperation”, has unfolded in complete informational silence, with no public statement or posting from the BOC.

According to the report, citing sources from the Holy Synod, the initiative targets “impoverished Bulgarian youth from patriotic and Russophile families”, offering not only free education and accommodation, but also a monthly stipend of 16,000 rubles (approximately €175), free transport, and other social benefits. The terms are laid out in an official letter from Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, head of the ROC’s Department for External Church Relations and a close associate of Patriarch Kirill.

“Our history has many moments when the Church was a refuge in turbulent times. This is not one of them,” Petkova commented, warning that the BOC risks becoming the last unchecked channel for Russian influence in Bulgaria, after several others have been shut down.

Opposition voices within the clergy claim a secret agreement exists between the BOC leadership and Moscow. They allege that Patriarch Daniil pressured dioceses to actively promote the programme with the goal of cultivating clergy loyal to the Kremlin. Notably, the programme is not mentioned on the official BOC website.

It is public knowledge that before his election to his post Patriarch Daniil has been a vocal supporter of the pro-Moscow branch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

A tool of propaganda?

The ROC has long been seen as a vehicle for Russian geopolitical influence. Russia’s Patriarch Kirill has openly blessed the war in Ukraine, while the Church itself plays an integral role in the Kremlin’s propaganda machinery and in offering theological support to state violence.

As of now, neither the BOC nor Patriarch Daniil has issued any public response. The secrecy surrounding the campaign and its implementation continues to raise concerns.

According to Petkova and like-minded public figures, the case is a litmus test for the maturity of Bulgarian institutions and their ability to resist foreign interference — even when it comes under the guise of spiritual solidarity. She expressed hope that the investigation will be objective and free from political pressure. So far, Bulgarian authorities have consistently downplayed the risks of Russian influence operations and disinformation campaigns.

At the very start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Moscow officially listed Bulgaria as an “unfriendly state”. Nevertheless, pro-Russian political forces remain active in the country – including parties currently represented in parliament. The Bulgarian president has also repeatedly echoed narratives aligned with Kremlin propaganda.

Pro-Russian prosecutors

Further fuelling the controversy is a separate case involving the prosecutor, who is in charge of the long-stalled investigation into the poisoning of arms dealer Emilian Gebrev – a case with formally indicted Russian suspects, but little visible progress.

Former defence minister Boyko Noev filed a report to Bulgaria’s security services, warning that this prosecutor regularly expresses admiration for Stalin and Putin on social media, including by expressing birthday wishes for the Russian president. The signal was forwarded to Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office – where the prosecutor himself works, and was dismissed. Higher prosecutors ruled that he was within his rights to express political views. Meanwhile, this prosecutor was promoted to a post at the Sofia Appellate Prosecutor’s Office. Noev also seized acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov but received no reply.

Caption: A photo released by the Bulgarian Orthodox Church following the meeting between Patriarch Daniil and Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova on 28 January 2025. During the meeting, the ambassador presented an icon to the head of the BOC.