Emil Tonev resigns as head of Bulgaria's National Service for Protection after journalist was pushed

Major General Emil Tonev has submitted his resignation as head of Bulgaria's National Service for Protection (NSP) after an officer of the service pushed journalist Sonya Koltuklieva, who fell to the pavement while trying to question Parliament Speaker Mihaela Dotsova. The presidential press office confirmed that the resignation was submitted to President Iliana Yotova following the incident. ([bntnews.bg](https://bntnews.bg/news/emil-tonev-head-of-the-national-service-for-protection-has-resigned-1418489news.html?utm_source=openai))

Investigations and charges

The officer involved, Martin Varadinov, has been charged with causing moderate bodily injury and faces a prison term of two to ten years if convicted. He was placed in 72-hour detention while the Military District Prosecutor’s Office in Sofia sought pre-trial detention; a military court later refused that request and Varadinov is to be released to defend himself. ([bta.bg](https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1230760-protection-service-officer-detained-over-incident-involving-journalist-parliam?utm_source=openai))

Authorities say investigators have taken statements from the injured journalist and eyewitnesses, and that video footage of the episode will be analysed along with other forensic and expert examinations as part of the probe. The NSP has opened an internal review while prosecutors pursue criminal inquiries.

Koltuklieva was initially taken to the Military Medical Academy in Sofia and later transferred to St. Sofia hospital, where doctors recorded multiple injuries including a dislocated shoulder and a suspected concussion. She has described pain in her shoulder and head after the incident. ([bntnews.bg](https://bntnews.bg/news/incident-involving-journalist-sonya-koltuklieva-protection-service-officer-detained-prosecutor-39s-office-is-investigati-1418452news.html?utm_source=openai))

The episode triggered sharp political reactions. President Yotova said she would demand Tonev’s resignation and signalled that she had already seen “shortcomings” in the service’s handling of the event. Opposition and other political forces condemned the use of force and, in some cases, called for additional resignations. ([bnrnews.bg](https://bnrnews.bg/en/post/546341/president-iotova-to-seek-resignation-of-national-security-service-chief?utm_source=openai))

The Union of Bulgarian Journalists condemned the incident, calling it scandalous and reiterating demands for stronger legal safeguards for press freedom and protections for journalists, while also noting that journalists must respect legal and professional standards. The union said the force used by the protection officer was disproportionate. ([bntnews.bg](https://bntnews.bg/news/the-association-of-journalists-in-bulgaria-calls-for-accountability-over-national-service-for-protection-officer%E2%80%99s-use-o-1418348news.html?utm_source=openai))

At his court hearing, the accused asked judges to impose a lighter precautionary measure, saying he had acted in line with his duties and internal rules. In a recorded comment from the injured journalist she said, "Journalists cannot be treated like that," describing the incident and the pain she suffered.

Photo: Printskrin