Bulgaria to ban terror suspects from entering its country

Bulgarian government on Wednesday approved amendments to four laws aimed at banning suspected terrorists from entering the country's territory amid the growing threat to international peace and security, officials said.

The amendments to the laws on Bulgarian Identity Documents, State Agency for National Security, Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria, and Asylum and Refugees Act would contribute to restricting the entry, transit and exit from the country of persons against whom there is evidence that they are involved in terrorist activities, the government said in a press release.

The new texts would affect persons involved in terrorist activity, as well as incitement, participation in preparation, assistance or training to carry out terrorist activities, the government said.

The scope of the reasons for expulsion and refusing to grant refugee status or humanitarian status would also be expanded, the press release added.

Bulgaria, which since 2013 year has been facing an unprecedented wave of refugees, signed in late May with Turkey and Greece an agreement for the creation of a tripartite contact center for police and customs cooperation in a bid to tackle illegal migration, smuggling and terrorism.

Earlier in March, the country's government approved an intergovernmental agreement with the United States to exchange passenger information, aimed at identifying individuals engaged in international trips who may pose a risk.

Based on the exchange of information with partner countries, in December 2014 Bulgaria arrested three foreigners suspected of going to Syria to participate in terrorist operations. Endit