site.btaProsecution Service: Zero Tolerance of All Cases of Violence, Hooliganism

The Prosecution office declared zero tolerance for all cases of violence and hooliganism. "The Public Prosecution Office serves the citizens and will not turn a blind eye to their expectations, but will respond with zero tolerance and as per its legal powers to all manifestations of criminal aggression - in the home, on the road, everywhere around us," said Acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov in his address.

Sarafov pointed out that the prosecutors, in addition to officials, are also Bulgarian citizens who fully share the strong anger and deep indignation that the public expresses at the two cases of unjustified aggression and inhuman cruelty, manifested a month ago in Stara Zagora and a few days ago on the beach in Pomorie.

"Not only are such acts of violence unacceptable, but they are also crimes that should be punished swiftly and adequately, with all the severity of the law, so that it is clear that anyone who dares to do something like this will inevitably bear their responsibility," the Prosecutor General said.

Sarafov expressed his expectation at a swift action by prosecutors across Bulgaria to identify, hold criminally responsible and take reasonable and adequate precautionary measures against perpetrators of gender-based crimes, religion-based crimes, cases of domestic violence, hooligan acts that grossly disturb public order and the peace of citizens. "Our ultimate goal should be to impose fair punishments based on the provisions of the law," Sarafov added.

The Acting Prosecutor General announced that he has issued an order instructing the administrative heads of the appellate prosecutor's offices to ensure that all cases of violence - domestic violence, road violence, and all acts of aggression and hooliganism accompanied by violence - are investigated promptly and objectively.

In each such case, in full coordination with the Ministry of Interior authorities, the supervising prosecutors are to take immediate action to hold the perpetrators criminally liable and determine reasonable and adequate detention measures, as well as to ensure timely action to protect the victims and their relatives. "I urge all citizens who have witnessed acts of violence or have themselves become victims of such violence to contact the authorities of the Prosecution Office and the Ministry of the Interior in order to proceed with the identification, detention and holding accountable of the perpetrators of criminal acts", Sarafov said.