Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Tensions in Sofia centre escalate as protesters throw firecrackers at police

7
Photo: BGNES

Tension has escalated even further on the 56th day of anti-government protests in Bulgaria marked with clashes, pepper spray and arrests. Protesters threw fireworks, cans, plastic bottles, stones and eggs at the Police cordon formed in front of the main entrance of the former communist Party House and current National Assembly building. 

The provocateurs are football fans, a representative of the protesters told a BNR reporter. 

One of the organizers of the protests, lawyer Nikolay Hadzhigenov, told BNT that there were most probably provocateurs among the protesters. Participants at the protests were trying to stop those who were throwing firecrackers at the police in order to prevent further escalation of the tension. 

Policemen stepped in front of the cordon with Bulgarian flags in their hands.  Protesters are chanting “Mafia”. 

The organizers of the protests - the so called "Toxic Trio" gave an ultimatum to the government to resign until Thursday morning. Arman Babykian, who is one of the members of the "Toxic Trio", called on the protesters to come back tomorrow at 9 am at Independence Square downtown Sofia to voice their discontent.

At 11 p.m., a water cannon was positioned in the protest areaIvaylo Ivanov, Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior, told Nova TV that many police officers were injured during today's protests. Information on their number is still being summarized. Ivanov confirmed that the escalation was caused by well-organized football fans. 

"We are trying to be impartial, not to take sides, to behave in the best way, but, to be honest, today absolutely everyone went too far," said the chief secretary of the Interior Ministry. 
He said it had been decided not to clash with the protesters. There were signals that provocations were expected, so an increased police presence was ensured, he said.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Repair works on the Danube bridge near Ruse to be carried out without stopping traffic

The major repair works on the Danube bridge near Ruse, which will begin on 10 July, will be carried out without stopping traffic and without closing the facility, the Road Infrastructure Agency said, refuting false information published in the Romanian..

published on 7/5/24 6:13 PM

160 more workers laid off at ContourGlobal Maritsa East 3 coal-fired power plant

ContourGlobal Maritsa East 3 TPP has announced that another 160 people from the coal-fired power plant will be laid off in the coming months after the procedure for notifying the institutions and the workers has been completed, the company’s..

published on 7/5/24 4:40 PM
Dimitar Glavchev

Bulgaria to offer Ukraine EUR 80 million but only if parliament approves it (update)

The position Bulgaria is going to the NATO summit with indicates that Bulgaria could offer Ukraine EUR 80 million , caretaker PM Dimitar Glavchev told reporters in parliament. However, he added that whatever the sum, it can only become fact..

published on 7/5/24 2:55 PM