Antoan Gechev

The State Intelligence Agency is headed by a Chairperson appointed by a decree of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, subject to a proposal by the Council of Ministers, for a term of 5 years. The Chairperson of the Agency has the authority to organize, govern and supervise the performance of the functions and activities assigned to the Agency and to represent the Agency.
The Chairperson of SIA is a member of the Security Council, which is a consultative and coordinating body of the Council of Ministers on matters of national security, and of the Consultative Council on National Security, headed by the President of the Republic of Bulgaria.

Antoan Lubomirov Gechev 

Born on 13.09.1969 in Yambol, Bulgaria.

He graduated from the Technical School of Electronic Еngineering and Automated Systems “S. M. Kirov”.

In 1993 he graduated from the National Military University “Vasil Levski” in Veliko Tarnovo with a military degree as an intelligence officer and a Master’s degree in “Mechanical engineering (ICE)”. In 1998 he earned a second master’s degree in “Military science” at “G. S. Rakovski” Military Academy. 

In 2018 he completed a course in ”Strategic leadership in the national security and defense system” in “G. S. Rakovski” Military Academy.

He started his career as a reconnaissance platoon commander and operational analyst in a SIGINT brigade.

In 1998 he was appointed at the Defense Information Service of the Republic of Bulgaria (DIS) where he served consecutively as an operational officer, head of “International Cooperation” section, head of “Human Resources” department and deputy director of DIS for integration, resource management, human resources, budget, etc.

He has extensive professional experience in the fields of military diplomacy and cooperation with the intelligence services of the EU and NATO member states. He has served as secretary to the defense attaché at the Embassy of Bulgaria in Greece. He has also served as deputy military attaché in the UK, military, air and naval attaché in Germany, accredited as such also to the Czech Republic and a military, air and naval attaché in Italy.

In June 2021, having left the armed forces after 33 years of loyal service, he was appointed as the Chairman of the State Intelligence Agency with pursuant to Decree 158/ 17.06.2021 by the President of the Republic of Bulgaria.

Married, has 2 daughters.

He is fluent in English, German and Greek. He uses Italian language.

 

The Chairperson of the Agency:

• prepares a draft budget of the Agency and oversees its implementation;
• organizes, governs and supervises the spending of special funds;
• directs the management of human resources and the social policy;
• approves an ethical code of conduct for the civil servants employed at the Agency;
• draws up and submits to the Council of Ministers, not later than 31 March every year, an annual report on the work of the Agency for the preceding year;
• manages the Agency's property and chattel in state ownership;
• cooperates with partner services of other countries, with international institutions and organizations;
• performs other powers assigned to him by law.

In his duties the Chairperson is assisted by Deputy Chairs appointed pursuant to a decision of the Council of Ministers for a term of 5 years subject to a proposal by the Chairperson. The Chairperson has the authority to delegate by an administrative order powers to the Deputy Chairs and define their functions.