The Ministry of Interior is planning changes to the guidelines for the use of body cameras by police, as well as additional training for the staff regarding apprehension procedures. This was announced after a meeting between the Ministry administration and the trade unions, BNR’s Nikolay Hristov reports. “Overall, body cameras are a device protecting the actions of both the police and the public,” said Zahari Vaskov, Director of the National Police General Directorate.

• Inspections launched at 2 ministries over death of young man in Varna

These decisions come in the wake of the death of 36-year old Yavor Georgiev in Varna a little after he was detained by police. The police officers did not use body cameras during his apprehension. Friends and relatives of the young man organized a protest stating they believed he had been the target of police brutality. They showed CCTV footage of his apprehension and demanded the full clarification of all circumstances.

According to forensics, Yavor Georgiev died of an overdose of cocaine, plus marijuana and alcohol. Acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov has issued instructions for an additional independent expert report to establish whether the police exceeded their powers, including by use of force, violence etc.