The claims of Bulgarian citizens investigated for espionage in the UK about their links to the "highest echelons" of power in Bulgaria, are not based on any factual evidence and are as absurd as the manipulative abuse of them, reads a statement by the presidential administration.

"Just a month ago, in response to media questions and a query from a member of parliament, the competent Bulgarian security services working in close cooperation with their British counterparts on the case, announced that they had no information confirming the claims of connections between those under investigation for espionage in the UK and politicians from Bulgaria", the presidency wrote.

The statement is on the occasion of the publication in The Independent newspaper about the exchange of remarks between the prosecutor and the defendants accused of espionage in the UK, reported BGNES.