Bulgaria's Defence Ministry also targeted by emailed bomb threats

Bulgaria's Defence Ministry in Sofia received emailed bomb threats in early October, Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov told parliament on Friday in reply to a question from Vazrazhdane lawmaker Ivelin Parvanov. Three emails claimed explosive devices had been planted in the ministry building, on Oct. 5, 6 and 7 according to the BTA news agency. They were sent to official contact addresses listed on the ministry's website.

Checks found no explosives and no staff were evacuated, the ministry said. Nine further emails targeted facilities of the Executive Agency for Military Clubs and Recreation, among them state kindergartens in Karlovo and Stara Zagora, where steps were taken to move staff out and the buildings were secured, BTA reported.

Stoyanov said it was still unclear who sent the emails, and the IP address of the device used had not been traced. All information was handed to the anti-organised crime directorate GDBOP and the Interior Ministry. Schools, courts and public institutions in Bulgaria have received hoax bomb threats for months, with a presidential election due on Oct. 25.