Todor Batkov (son) has again made headlines, this time not as a “protector of the Rhodopes” and legal advisor on transportation safety, but as an accused under Article 345, paragraph 2 of the Penal Code. The reason — on June 9, he drove an unregistered forklift to remove concrete barriers placed by Greek authorities on Greek territory at the “Rudozem – Xanthi” border crossing.
An expedited criminal proceeding has been initiated against Todor Batkov (son) in the Madan District Police Department for operating an unregistered forklift, as reported by the district prosecutor of Smolyan, Tatyana Naydenova. The criminal case is supervised by prosecutor Nezhko Metahchov, and the unregistered vehicle is a forklift of the brand “HELI.”
What did Batkov himself say?
“The ominous act” and state “repression”
Before entering the police building in Madan on June 10, Batkov told the media: “I later found out that I would be charged under Article 345, paragraph 2 of the Penal Code — as funny as it sounds — for driving a vehicle without registration, since the forklift is not registered. The punishment for this ‘dark deed’ is up to one year in prison, and we will see what will happen.”
He called the Smolyan police “repressive apparatus” and added with irony: “On the way back, we were stopped when entering Smolyan, with sirens and lights, as if we are the biggest criminals in the region. They immediately detained the forklift without any legal grounds.” He emphasized that he is not a terrorist: “I don’t consider myself an international drug trafficker or terrorist to be treated this way.”
The hero’s language and the flip side of the medal
In a pointed and ironic address to officials, Batkov said: “Where are the four MPs from the region? They only appear during elections, then disappear — where are they now?” He continued: “I want to especially congratulate the four MPs from the Smolyan region — Larisa Savova, Halil Letifov, Hayri Sadakov, who is the deputy chairman of Parliament, and that little guy from GERB… what was his name… Krasi Sabev — to specifically congratulate them for the active stance they have taken.”
He also did not overlook the director of the District Directorate of Internal Affairs – Smolyan, Senior Commissioner Tsvetan Tsankov: “I want to specially congratulate Senior Commissioner Tsvetan Tsankov for his courage, for his strong character, and for his patriotism. I would be glad—at least as I understand it—there is a very nice guest house in Smilyan—I would like to visit there and see how it is.”
Every public statement by Batkov is built around a clear framework: institutions betray us, the Greeks deceive, and the “Rodopi people” are waiting for salvation. “I can’t watch the grandchildren of such great Bulgarians being crushed,” he said, vowing to “fight with heart and soul.”
“I am a free citizen; I am not a municipal councilor, mayor, MP, or regional governor. I am free to do as I see fit, and I take responsibility for my actions.” According to him, these are provoked by state inaction: “Why didn’t the Ministry of Foreign Affairs set conditions for Greece during the negotiations over the waters of the Arda? Fine, you want a new contract—fulfill the old one and open the crossing. What has the Ministry of Foreign Affairs done on this? Nothing. We gave away the water—why?”
Pre-trial proceedings and political PR
The interrogation was postponed due to the absence of his lawyer. “I have a new summons because I invoked my right under Article 122 of the Criminal Procedure Code to be questioned in the presence of a lawyer. Unfortunately, my lawyer is engaged. I invoked Article 122 in connection with Article 121 because I do not want to incriminate myself.” His next appearance is scheduled for Tuesday.
Batkov ended with a promise to his supporters: “The fight continues. Thank you all for your support — it truly means a lot to me. I know that most people in the Rhodopes live in fear, under pressure and dependencies. Thank you for showing courage and being here. I will not betray you.”
The Greek authorities quickly restored the barriers, and police presence along the forest road indicated that Batkov’s actions were not seen as a symbolic protest but as a provocation. In Athens, discussions are underway about potential investigative measures, and diplomatic circles are debating whether this incident will further delay the opening of the crossing point, as it provides arguments for extending construction and security measures on Greek territory.
Greece-Germany border crossing for political purposes
Meanwhile, Batkov himself openly admits that his actions carry a political charge. After unsuccessful attempts to become a deputy from GERB, he now sharply criticizes the government: he calls the Foreign Minister a “traitor to the Rodopi,” deputies from Smolyan “dead from fear,” and Krasimir Sabev “the short one from GERB,” whose name he can barely remember. Increasingly, deputies from the “Vazrazhdane” party stand beside him, and his tone approaches theirs — pathetic, filled with insinuations of national betrayal and belated revenge.
The “Rudozem – Xanthi” border crossing and Bulgarian-Greek relations
The border control checkpoint “Rudozem – Xanthi” is part of the commitments made between Bulgaria and Greece since 1995, when an agreement was signed to open new border points between the two countries. So far, four crossings have been established. The latest, at Rudozem, was completed from the Bulgarian side in late 2022, but due to a landslide on the Greek side, its opening has been postponed.
After Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen on land borders, expectations were that the Rudozem crossing would open by summer. However, that did not happen. Protests followed, along with sharp political statements.
The Greek side has not officially announced a final date for completing the reinforcement works, and Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs have maintained a diplomatic tone, expressing hope for a prompt opening. However, local unrest has erupted as frustration grows, and Todor Batkov has seized and skillfully turned this dissatisfaction into a scandal.
Although he holds no formal political office, Todor Batkov Jr. increasingly presents himself as the voice of the Rhodope people—those disappointed with the state. To some, he is a heroic politician trying to open the border with a forklift; to others, he is just preparing for the next parliamentary elections, this time as a candidate for “Vazrazhdane.”
