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Bloomberg
A Bulgarian accused of spying for Russia who was freed on bail was allowed by a court to visit Moscow, where he received an award from President Vladimir Putin.
Despite being barred from foreign travel as part of a $28,000 bail agreement two months ago, Nikolay Malinov was able to go to Russia on November 1, according to prosecutors.
There, the former lawmaker and head of Bulgaria’s National Russophiles Movement attended a reception marking Russia’s National Unity Day and was presented with the state honour, according to official footage.
Prosecutors are seeking an inquiry into the court’s decision.
While Bulgarian-Russian relations are generally cordial, Malinov was charged with supplying information to a Russian research institute and a non-governmental organisation to help alter his country’s geopolitical trajectory.
He denies wrongdoing over the offenses, which carry a potential prison term of as long as 15 years.