Sofia claims that the pagers that exploded in Lebanon were not sold by Bulgaria

2024-09-20 11:07:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Bulgaria has not imported, exported or manufactured pagers of the type that exploded on Tuesday in Lebanon and Syria.

Moreover, the Bulgarian company "Norta Global Ltd", which was previously reported to have participated in the pager sales chain, has not carried out any sales transactions under the jurisdiction of Bulgaria.

This was announced on September 20 by the National Security Agency of Bulgaria (DANS). The announcement said that the agency came to this conclusion after a joint investigation it conducted with the National Revenue Agency, the Ministry of the Interior and Customs.

The news about the findings of the DANS investigation comes just one day after the agency announced that it was launching such an investigation.

Also, the announcement comes after thousands of pagers used by Hezbollah - the Lebanese group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States - killed 12 people. Then, the Hungarian media Telex reported that the Bulgarian company, Norta Global Ltd, bought the pagers from Taiwan and then sold them to Hezbollah.

While the US considers Hezbollah a terrorist organization, the European Union considers only Hezbollah's wing as terrorist, but not its political branch.

Now DANS reports that its inspection has proven "indisputably that no communication devices corresponding to those that exploded on September 17 in Lebanon in Syria were imported, exported or manufactured in Bulgaria." Also, the company "Norta Global Ltd", registered in Bulgaria, but also its owners, have not carried out any transactions, under the jurisdiction of Bulgaria, regarding the purchase or sale of goods.

According to the data from the inspection of DANS, "Norta Global Ltd", also did not carry out financial operations that are within the Law of measures against financial terrorism. DANS also said that this company does not have commercial relations with individuals and legal entities that are sanctioned by the Security Council of the United Nations and the Council of the European Union.

Earlier, Hungarian journalists said that the Bulgarian company, "Norta Global Ltd", was a participant in Hezbollah's supply chain of pagers. Radio Free Europe reported on August 19 that such a company exists, but has no employees and has its address in Sofia./ Rel