There have been deliberate attempts to destabilize Bulgaria’s banking system and authorities are investigating the case, Interior Minister Tsvetlin Yovchev revealed.

“We are talking about an organized campaign, through the Internet and telephones, by sending SMS texts urging clients to pull out their savings. The goal is to create mass panic”, Yovchev said, quoted by Dnevnik.bg.

Shortly after Yovchev’s comments, the Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) Ivan Iskrov confirmed that there have been attempts at destabilizing the banks, referring particularly to an attack on First Investment Bank. He assured clients that their savings will be safeguarded.

Minister Yovchev sent a clear message that the investigation will find the full truth behind these attacks, and those responsible would “bear the full weight of the law for such serious crimes”.

Both the Interior Minister and the Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski assured that the banking system in the country is stable.

Throughout the day, mass queues have been forming in front of First Investment Bank offices, as people rushed to pull out money.