Russian hackers have paralysed a series of Bulgarian government websites in a large-scale cyberattack, an investigator said on Saturday.
The attack meant the websites of the president, the government, key ministries and the Constitutional Court in Bulgaria were all rendered inaccessible or were only able to run slowly if at all, according to official sources.
The hacking attack came from the territory of the Russian Federation,” said the head of Bulgaria’s investigation agency, Borislav Sarafov.
“This is an attack on the Bulgarian state,” said prosecutor general, Ivan Ghev, who described it as a “serious problem.”
” As part of the European family, Bulgaria defends European values, he said, adding that it is “normal” that this also has consequences.
Meanwhile, Bulgaria is providing Ukraine with humanitarian support as Russia continues to bombard the country.
Bulgaria is also taking in Ukrainians who are fleeing the war.
However, the cyberattack on Bulgarian institutions did not affect any content or personal data, the Ministry of Digital Affairs said, adding that the attacks had been halted.
Harry Potter and Cracker actor Robbie Coltrane has died at the aged of 72, his agent has said.
The Scottish star, whose real name is Anthony Robert McMillan, was best known for playing the beloved Hogwarts gamekeeper Hagrid and starring as criminal psychologist Dr Eddie ‘Fitz’ Fitzgerald in ITV’s crime drama Cracker.
His agent of 40 years, Belinda Wright said Coltrane died on Friday and thanked the medical staff at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert, near Falkirk in Scotland for their “care and diplomacy”.
In a statement, she added: “Robbie was a unique talent, sharing the Guinness Book of Records’ Award for winning three consecutive Best Actor Baftas for his portrayal of Fitz in Granada TV’s series Cracker in 1994/1995/and 1996 with Sir Michael Gambon.
“He will probably be best remembered for decades to come as Hagrid in the Harry Potter films.
“A role which brought joy to children and adults alike all over the world prompting a stream of fan letters every week for over 20 years.
“James Bond fans write too to applaud his role in GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough.
“For me personally, I shall remember him as an abidingly loyal client as well as being a wonderful actor, he was forensically intelligent, brilliantly witty and after 40 years of being proud to be to called his Agent, I shall miss him.”
Coltrane was made an OBE in the 2006 New Year’s honours list for his services to drama and he was awarded the Bafta Scotland Award for outstanding contribution to film in 2011.
The actor is survived by his sister Annie Rae, his children Spencer and Alice and their mother Rhona Gemmell.
Russian hackers/(dpa/NAN)
