Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Politicians arrested for throwing red paint at the Russian embassy in Sofia

| updated on 4/8/22 7:36 PM
Arman Babikyan (left) and Nikolai Hadzhigenov.
Photo: BGNES

Leaders of "Stand up, BG!” movement and former MPs Arman Babikyan and Nikolai Hadzhigenov were arrested for 24 hours, after they threw red paint at the sign of the Russian embassy in Sofia.

They commented that by this act they expressed their civil position against the war in Ukraine. Hadzhigenov and Babikyan also said that Russian ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova should be expelled and Bulgaria should send military as well as humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

The two were handcuffed, put in a patrol car, and detained for questioning, after they refused to present their identity cards to the police. 

About 30 protesters gathered in front of the Police Station where Hadzhigenov and Babikyan were detained. One of them, Valentina Vasileva of the European People's Party commented: "So far we have no information about them. We did something like a protest and poured two cans of red paint on the Russian Embassy." 

Several hours later Arman Babikyan and Nikolai Hadzhigenov were released. 




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

Bulgaria's Antarctic research ship to sail for Antarctica for the fourth time in November

The Bulgarian military research ship “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” (NIK 421) will set off on its fourth voyage to Antarctica on November 7 . This was announced to BTA by its commander, Captain 2nd Rank Radko Muevsky, who will also lead the new mission...

published on 9/17/25 11:58 AM
Bulgarian Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov and US Secretary of Energy Christopher Wright (right)

Bulgaria and the United States confirm their civil nuclear cooperation

Bulgaria's Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov and US Secretary of Energy Christopher Wright signed a joint statement confirming the concluded intergovernmental agreement to strengthen civil nuclear cooperation . The document was signed within the framework..

published on 9/17/25 9:37 AM

Day of Sofia celebrated with a number of events

September 17 is the holiday of the city of Sofia and a day on which we honor the Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia. The city got its name from the Basilica of St. Sophia located in the center of the capital city, which is among the..

published on 9/17/25 7:55 AM