Australian citizen John Zakhariev sits in a courtroom in Sofia on March 17, 2017, facing trial under charges for undertaking firearms training with the intention of committing a terrorist act. Picture: AFP.

John Zakhariev is facing allegations he trained in the Balkan nation with the intention of fighting in Syria for Islamic State.

John Zakhariev says he never intended to go to Syria to kill. Picture: Facebook.Source:Supplied

The 21-year-old’s lawyer has previously claimed it was Australian authorities which notified Bulgarian counterparts that Zakhariev had been in Syria in 2013 and was “interested in terrorism”.

John Zakhariev being led into court in Bulgaria to face terrorism charges. Photo: Supplied.Source:Supplied

In his first Australian TV interview since the arrest, Zakhariev said he was “absolutely outraged” by the Australian Federal Police and spy agencies. “It seems to me that the AFP and ASIO only specialise in selling Australians citizens off to foreign nations,” he told the Seven Network.

Zakhariev flatly rejected he was a terrorist, saying prosecutors have failed to provide “a shred of evidence” in their case against him.

Nevena Zakhariev said of her brother: “he’s very kind and considerate boy”. Picture: 7 News.Source:Supplied

Bulgarian authorities claim Zakhariev attempted to train at local shooting ranges.

Zakhariev says he only went to a couple of ranges in Sofia and had help from an instructor to load the magazine.

“I didn’t train,” he said.

John Zakhariev's now deceased father, Svetlomir. Picture: Channel 7.Source:Supplied

John Zakhariev's mother, Anne Ngo. Picture: Channel 7.Source:Supplied

“This is a very poorly attempted entrapment operation on the part of Bulgarian authorities.” The former Waverley College student said he’d like to return to Australia and was struggling in jail.

“Every second is a battle to keep it together.”

The AFP in a previous statement said it would not confirm or deny who it may be investigating and does not comment on matters of intelligence.