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

Weather forecast: Sunny weather, fog in some parts

During the night, the weather will be predominantly clear and calm. There will be fog or low clouds before midday in parts of the lowlands, valleys and around water basins. Minimum temperatures minus 4-1° C., for Sofia around minus 2° C. On..

published on 11/25/24 6:15 PM

Ursula von der Leyen mentions Bulgarian girl Debora on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Bulgarian Debora Mihaylova , who was brutally slashed with a mock knife by her boyfriend Georgi Georgiev , is one of the victims of violence mentioned by Ursula von der Leyen in her address on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of..

published on 11/25/24 5:09 PM
Rositsa Stelyanova

Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association demands a 3% increase in vocational classes

In a letter to Minister of Education Galin Tsokov, the Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association expresses concern over the state plan for admissions for the 2025-2026 academic year, in which the number of vocational classes in schools are being..

published on 11/25/24 4:29 PM