site.btaClash in Parliament over Child Protection and Recent High-Profile Multiple Deaths Case

A fiery exchange unfolded Thursday in the Bulgarian Parliament between There Is Such a People (TISP) and Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB) over child protection and the handling of a recent high-profile multiple murder (the Petrohan-Okolchitsa Case). The session began with a statement by TISP on Petrohan-Okolchitsa case, prompting strong reactions and calls for accountability.

Taking the floor, TISP MP Stanislav Balabanov spoke of his shock as a parent at watching the developments in the Petrohan-Okolchitsa case, where a 15-year-old was among six victims of a violent death. He blamed Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) for licensing a private school which worked with an NGO that used the Petrohan Lodge as a base. Petrohan Lodge is the place where the first three of the six victims were found dead.

“I cannot believe what has been happening for years in a closed organization masquerading as environmentalists. We have lost the instinct to protect our children, and I am disgusted,” he said.

Also, Balabanov blamed CC-DB for refusing to back a public register of child sex offenders. 

CC-DB MP Bozhidar Bozhanov responded that his party shares concerns for child safety and is pushing for transparency in the multiple murder. “We are equally concerned. We insist that all documents be declassified to determine whether institutions have covered up anything,” he said, noting that his legislative work includes barring individuals with sex offense convictions from roles involving children.

Vazrazhda leader Kostadin Kostadinov accused CC-DB of political hypocricy and lies, and said that his party had submitted such draft legislation and CC-DB refused to back it.

Tensions escalated when TISP floor leader Toshko Yordanov told Bozhanov, “We don’t trust you - we think you support pedophiles.” Parliament Chair Raya Nazaryan issued Yordanov a formal reprimand for his offensive language and called a 15-minute recess to allow tempers to cool.