Bulgarian prosecutors say they will try two suspected Hezbollah operatives in connection with a bus bombing that killed six, including five Israelis at the Black Sea resort of Burgas last July,
the BBC reported Thursday.
Chief Prosecutor Sotir Tsatsarov said Thursday that he knew the whereabouts of the men and would seek extradition. But if that proved impossible, the pair would face trial in absentia, he said.
The suspects are said to be members of the armed wing of the Iranian-backed Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah, which denies any involvement in the July 18, 2012 bombing which killed five Israeli tourists and their Bulgarian bus driver.
The pair allegedly provided the explosive device and logistical support to the bomber, who killed himself in the attack.
Bulgaria has given the European Union’s police agency the names of the two suspects, identified as Australian citizen Meliad Farah, 32, (AKA Hussein Hussein); and Hassan El Hajj Hassan, 25, a Canadian citizen.
Both suspects are of Lebanese origin and are thought to have lived there for several years prior to the Burgas attack.
There are conflicting reports as to where Farah and Hassan are currently located.
Speaking at a security conference in Berlin on Wednesday, Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev described the Burgas bombing as “an ugly and inhuman act” that constituted the Balkan country’s own 9/11.
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