site.btaVarna Residents Hold Fourth Protest in Support of Arrested Mayor

Danail Voykov

Ralliers outside the City Hall declaring their solidarity with the arrested Mayor and demand for justice and rule of law, Varna, July 18, 2025 (BTA Photo/Krassimir Krsatev)

Varna, on the Black Sea,

18.07.2025 19:42

(BTA)

For the fourth time, residents of Varna are protesting in support of the city’s mayor, Blagomir Kotsev, who was detained on July 8. The previous three demonstrations were held on July 9, 14, and 16.

Ahead of the second protest, a petition titled "In Support of Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev and the Rule of Law in Bulgaria" began circulating.

On Friday, protesters gathered in front of the City Hall, with the demonstration also organized through social media. Among those present were Kotsev’s deputy mayors, municipal councilors, and local citizens. They held signs supporting the detained mayor and the two arrested city councilors, Nikolay Stefanov and Yordan Kateliev. Slogans included “Varna for Blago,” “Justice, not setups,” “Kotsev’s crime was not selling himself,” and “I want my children to live in a rule of law.”

Chants of “Mafia” and “Freedom” echoed through the rally.

Pro-Kotsev protests were also held in Burgas and Dobrich.

/NF/