Bulgaria Moves to Stop Flow of Islamist Militants

Bulgaria's government proposed on Wednesday new anti-terrorism laws to stem the wave of would-be jihadists crossing its territory to join Islamic State fighters in Syria and Iraq via Turkey.

Bulgaria currently has no legislation to stop suspected foreign fighters from entering or leaving the Balkan country, unless an international arrest warrant has been issued.

In response, the government said it planned to amend the law to "limit the free movement of persons traveling to prepare, plan or participate in terrorist acts, or terrorist training."

The new legislation, which still requires parliamentary approval, would criminalize the crossing of the Bulgarian border with the intent to commit acts of terrorism abroad.

The proposal also includes the possibility to put on trial any person suspected of funding or aiding in any way the preparation of terrorist acts.

The legal changes would "limit the possibility for terrorist groups to find a safe haven" in Bulgaria, the government said.

Over the past year, hundreds of Europeans have traveled unhindered through the Balkan country in their quest to reach its 275-kilometer (170-mile) border with Turkey and join militant groups, interior ministry data shows.