site.btaEuropean Court Validates Sofia’s Support Measures for Inhabitants of Demolished Houses

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) annulled the measures for the Roma from Sofia's Zaharna Fabrika borough and recognized the actions of Sofia Municipality as sufficient and effective, the Sofia Municipality press service said on Monday. On July 10, the ECtHR annulled the interim measures imposed in the Ilieva and Others v. Bulgaria (no. 11201/25) case concerning the removal of illegal buildings in the capital's Zaharna Fabrika borough. The Court also terminated the priority examination of the case under Rule 41 of the Rules of Court.

The decision comes as a result of the information provided by Sofia Municipality and the state institutions, proving timely and adequate actions taken to protect the rights and support the affected people. The Court held that there were no grounds to uphold interim measures at this time as Sofia Municipality has fulfilled its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.

Following the demolition of the illegal buildings on April 15, 2025, Sofia Municipality immediately mobilized teams on the ground who offered temporary accommodation, medical assistance, social services, employment and access to food and water. An assessment of the individual needs of those affected was carried out. A total of 53 people accepted the assistance offered and were placed in social services in the city.

Nadezhda Bacheva, Sofia's Deputy Mayor for Social Activity and Integration of People with Disabilities, said that the ECtHR decision confirms that Sofia Municipality acts responsibly and lawfully even in crisis situations.

On April 15, 2025, illegal houses in the borough of Zaharna Fabrika were demolished. The demolition order dates back to 2016. The municipal administration provided accommodation for the occupants of the illegal buildings, but those affected refused the offer and insisted that the municipality provide them with municipal housing. This was followed by protests by the homeless and reactions and reproaches to the Sofia Municipality for having acted inhumanely by leaving the occupants of the illegal buildings on the street. The ECtHR ordered the Bulgarian authorities to offer suitable alternative accommodation to the 14 people affected by the removal of the illegal buildings. The Court previously ordered that no further steps be taken to remove the buildings.