The "Bulgarian trail" refers to a specific investigation that links Hezbollah to a 2012 terrorist attack in Bulgaria. This attack took place on July 18, 2012, at Burgas Airport, where a bomb exploded on a bus carrying Israeli tourists, killing five Israelis, the Bulgarian bus driver, and the bomber himself. The attack was suspected to be the work of Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite militant group.
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Investigation and Hezbollah Connection:
- The Bulgarian authorities, after an extensive investigation, concluded that Hezbollah's military wing was behind the attack. This conclusion was based on evidence including the fake identities used by the suspects and the communication patterns, including the use of certain pagers and SIM cards that were linked to Hezbollah operatives.
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Pagers and Communication:
- During the investigation, it was found that the suspects involved in the attack had used specific communication devices, possibly pagers or SIM cards, that had been linked to individuals ********** with Hezbollah. These devices were traced back to the group, providing critical evidence in identifying the perpetrators.
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International Repercussions:
- The attack and its attribution to Hezbollah had significant international implications. It led the European Union to designate Hezbollah's military wing as a terrorist organization in 2013, which affected its activities and funding within the EU.
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Bulgarian Trail and EU Relations:
- The term "Bulgarian trail" is often used in media and diplomatic discussions to refer to the chain of evidence and investigation that connected the attack to Hezbollah. It demonstrated the reach and operational capabilities of the group within Europe, raising concerns over regional security and Hezbollah’s influence.