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

Iliana Iotova

Vice President Iliana Iotova opens exhibition of treasures from Ancient Thrace in Los Angeles

Today, Vice President Iliana Iotova is opening the exhibition “Ancient Thrace and the Classical World: Treasures from Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece” at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, the presidential press service has announced. Bulgaria,..

published on 11/3/24 7:30 AM

Weather forecast: Temperatures drop on Sunday

Over the next 24 hours the clouds will increase. The wind will pick up and will usher in cold air. Minimum temperatures 5-10° C., for Sofia around 5° C. Daytime highs will reach 8-13° C., for Sofia around 11° C. Over the mountains there will..

published on 11/2/24 6:00 PM
Slavi Trifonov

Slavi Trifonov offers PP/DB his own declaration in exchange for supporting their declaration for isolating Delyan Peevski

Slavi Trifonov, leader of There Is Such a People (ITN) declared he would sign the declaration of We Continue the Change/Democratic Bulgaria (PP/DB), with which the coalition calls for a cordon sanitaire around the leader of the Movement for Rights and..

published on 11/2/24 4:35 PM