site.btaProtest in Ruse Against "Political Repression", "Creeping Dictatorship"

A protest under the banner “Against the Truncheons of Power, Political Repression, and Creeping Dictatorship” was held on Wednesday in front of the Palace of Justice in Ruse. Demonstrators also collected signatures for a petition in support of Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev and in defence of the rule of law in Bulgaria.

Protesters held signs with slogans such as: “Today it’s Blago, tomorrow it’s you,” “Justice, not orders,” “No to selective justice,” and “Mafia out.”

The event was organized by Daniela Petrova, who stressed that the protest was nonpartisan and part of a broader national movement against abuses in the judiciary. Among the participants were supporters and members of political groups including Continue the Change–Democratic Bulgaria, Velichie, MECh, and others.

“We will fight against the violation of justice and the use of legal institutions as weapons,” Petrova said. “Today it’s Blagomir Kotsev, but tomorrow it could be any one of us. They want us to be afraid, but we’re here to say we won’t be silenced.”

Orlin Penkov, a representative of Continue the Change’s local leadership, said that the protest was a stand by all free citizens against the erosion of democratic values.

“Today we are here to defend Blago, to defend the right to a fair trial, and the future of Bulgaria as a normal state. In recent weeks and months, we’ve seen prosecutors arrest mayors of major cities, while leaving GERB and MRF figures untouched. This is selective justice,” Penkov said.