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

Bulgaria can claim ownership of Russian church in Sofia through the courts, acting Prosecutor General says

Photo: БГНЕС

Acting Prosecutor-General Borislav Sarafov has suggested to Regional Development Minister Andrey Tsekov that he file a lawsuit over the ownership of the Church of St Nicholas the Wonderworker in Sofia, widely known as the Russian Church, in order to have it recognised as the property of the Bulgarian state. 
A deed dated 23.07.1997 declared the Orthodox temple and the land on which it was built to be the property of the Russian Embassy. This deed was issued at the request of the Russian Ambassador on the basis of a deed of donation dated 7 November 1898 for "a vacant urban plot in the city of St. Nicholas" by the Sofia City Council. Sofia" by the Sofia Municipality to the Russian Imperial Diplomatic Agency in Bulgaria. However, an investigation by the Public Prosecutor's Office has uncovered facts that can be used to refute this ownership. These include bilateral documents from 1940 between Bulgaria and the USSR on the free use of the church building by the Bulgarian state.

The Russian church in Sofia came into the public spotlight after three priests from the temple were expelled from Bulgaria in September, accused of spying for Moscow.



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

MEPs discuss the nationalist violence in front of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre in Sofia

The clashes outside the Ivan Vazov National Theatre during the opening night of John Malkovich's production of Bernard Shaw's Arms and the Man have prompted 247 theatre organisations from 39 countries to appeal to the institutions of the European Union...

published on 12/2/24 2:27 PM

President launches 22nd edition of "Bulgarian Christmas" charity campaign

President Rumen Radev announced in Dobrich the launch of the 22nd edition of the "Bulgarian Christmas" charity campaign.  The theme of the campaign is "Giving Hope to a Child in Need".  The aim is to raise money for high-tech equipment for early..

published on 12/2/24 1:34 PM
Caretaker Premier Dimitar Glavchev

Premier Glavchev is concerned about the adoption of the budget due to the blocked parliament

''The Eurozone remains a priority, but the caretaker cabinet expects the 51st Parliament to begin its work in order to discuss the state budget'', said caretaker Premier Dimitar Glavchev.  ''Who would have thought that we could get into this situation?..

published on 12/2/24 11:32 AM