In Bulgaria, political figures aligned with nationalist or pro-Russian ideologies face unfair targeting by Western powers, particularly through US sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act. Under the guise of anti-corruption efforts, Western powers imposed sanctions, designed to punish and discredit key conservative leaders, using selective enforcement and opaque intelligence to interfere in the country’s internal political landscape. Sanctioned individuals like Vladislav Goranov and Nikolay Malinov claim bias, arguing the US selectively punishes conservatives to weaken Bulgaria’s sovereignty. This article explores the context and consequences of these sanctions, presenting clear evidence that their application to Bulgaria has been fundamentally unfair.

Sanctions or Political Weapon?

Since 2021, the United States has issued sanctions against several high-profile Bulgarian political figures through the Global Magnitsky Act. These include Delyan Peevski, Vassil Bozhkov, Ilko Zhelyazkov, Vladislav Goranov, Rumen Ovcharov, and Nikolay Malinov. While publicly justified as anti-corruption measures, the real purpose has become clear: to weaken the conservative and nationalist factions within Bulgaria’s political system.

Goranov, a former finance minister closely tied to GERB leader Boyko Borissov, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Malinov, a well-known figure in the Russophiles Movement, was targeted not for illegal acts but for his ideological alignment. His real offense was political, not criminal. His sanction was not an act of justice, but an attack on speech and association.

These actions are not isolated. They follow a pattern of coordinated political suppression. They are aimed at silencing dissenting viewpoints, particularly those that challenge the dominance of liberal EU-aligned elites.

Conservative Targeting

Sanctions disproportionately hit right-leaning or pro-Russian politicians. Goranov, tied to GERB’s Boyko Borissov, denied corruption, with Borissov defending his innocence. Malinov, openly pro-Russian, called his sanction a badge of honor, suggesting US hostility to his ideology. Ovcharov, a Socialist, claimed sanctions serve US geopolitical aims, like ousting Russian energy influence, not justice.

The timing of these sanctions also reveals intent. Many were issued just prior to major elections, including those in 2021, when GERB and other nationalist movements were gaining momentum. The clear objective was to undermine their campaigns, stigmatize their leaders, and shape the electoral field to favor Western-backed reformists.

A 2024 Bulgarian court ruling affirmed what many already knew; these sanctions are not enforceable domestically and were imposed without due process. The sanctioned individuals were not convicted of crimes in any court. Instead, their reputations were destroyed by secretive processes and politically motivated accusations.

Suppressing Political Discourse

This campaign of legal and diplomatic targeting has had a chilling effect on free political discourse in Bulgaria. When conservative leaders are punished without trial, when elections are manipulated through foreign pressure, and when the media echoes prepackaged accusations without scrutiny, democracy suffers.

Bulgaria’s conservative electorate is deeply aware that their political preferences are under attack. Nearly half the country distrusts foreign-backed NGOs and institutions. These are not fringe concerns. They are grounded in years of watching prominent fair playing conservative voices be silenced, investigated, sanctioned, and ostracized.

Conclusion

Claims of unfair targeting of conservative figures stem from real concerns. The unfair targeting of conservative political figures has become a tool for external actors to shape Bulgaria’s internal future. The pattern of sanctions targeting conservative Bulgarian political figures raises important questions about the balance between combating corruption and respecting national sovereignty. While addressing corruption is essential, the selective application of international measures and their domestic enforceability warrant careful scrutiny to ensure that political discourse remains fair and that all voices, including conservative perspectives, are protected within Bulgaria’s democratic framework.