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

Thousands protest in Sofia in defense of Varna mayor and against selective justice

People also took to the streets in Varna and Brussels

Photo: Facebook / People of Sofia

Last night, thousands of people gathered in front of the Palace of Justice in Sofia to protest, demanding an independent judiciary and expressing support for Blagomir Kotsev, the mayor of Varna who was arrested recently. Organised by 'Justice for All', the demonstration took place under the slogan: 'Take the bludgeons away from thugs in power'.


The protesters marched to the National Assembly building and held up posters bearing slogans such as 'Bulgaria is a European country, the end of the mafia is near', 'Law is not a bludgeon', 'Stop covering up the guilty and punishing the inconvenient', and '#Varna for Blago', as reported by BTA. "The latest investigations against mayors and deputy mayors show selective justice and links between the prosecution and the oligarchy," said the organisers.


'The law has an owner, and his name is Delian Peevski — Boyko Borisov's partner. Instead of serving the public and allowing it to function properly, institutions are being used by a few thugs," said Ivaylo Mirchev, co-chair of Democratic Bulgaria, addressing the protesters.

In Varna, citizens gathered in front of the municipal building for a third consecutive protest to express their support for their mayor. Demonstrations were also held in other major cities.


Earlier, Dian Ivanov, the former deputy mayor of Varna and main witness against Blagomir Kotsev, withdrew his testimony. 'Today, I filed a statement with the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office stating that my testimony in pre-trial proceedings 220/24 is false, as it was given under pressure from employees of the Anti-Corruption Commission in Sofia. We will see what happens to me,' he wrote on Facebook.

Protests were held in Brussels and other European cities.
Last night, Bulgarians gathered in protest in front of the European Parliament in Brussels. According to BTA, the event was attended by MEPs Nikola Minchev and Hristo Petrov, as well as representatives of the Renew Europe and Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe leadership groups in the European Parliament.


Editor: Diana Tsankova

Posted in English by E. Radkova

Photos: Facebook /  People of Sofia, BTA, Varna Municipality



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

Bulgarian military contingent returns from NATO mission in Kosovo

The contingent of the NATO Stabilization Force in Kosovo has been welcomed with a solemn ceremony in Blagoevgrad, BTA reports. In his welcome address, Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov congratulated the servicemen on the successful..

published on 7/24/25 3:46 PM

Organized criminal group led by Russian citizen and involved in circulating counterfeit banknotes has been dismantled

An organized crime group involved in circulating counterfeit banknotes – dollars and euros, as well in holding counterfeit Bulgarian levs has been dismantled in Plovdiv, BTA reports. Six people have been arrested, including the..

published on 7/24/25 2:30 PM
Minister Valchev

Students on paid education will pay tuition fees up to 60% of those in the state-funded system

The fees in the paid form of education in higher education institutions will not exceed 60% of the cost of education of a student in the state-funded system, the National Assembly has finally decided, BNR reporter Violeta Ashikova..

published on 7/24/25 1:51 PM