Peaceful civic protests against generalised state-level corruption have been taking place in Bulgaria for months. Increasing police violence and unlawful arrests are sadly becoming the norm while citizens are demanding progressive democratic reforms.
Today, on 2 September 2020, Borislav Sandov, co-chair of Zeleno dvizhenie (Bulgarian Greens - member of the European Greens) along with three other members of Zeleno dvizhenie were violently arrested while taking part in a peaceful demonstration in front of the Bulgarian parliament.
Thomas Waitz and Evelyne Huytebroeck, co-chairs of the European Green Party comment:
“We call for the immediate release of Borislav Sandov, the other members of Zeleno dvizhenie, and all peaceful protesters who have just been arrested outside of the country's parliament. The Bulgarian police and state must not infringe upon their citizens' right to assemble and protest!
The deafening silence of the European People’s Party (EPP) is outrageous and amounts to complicity. GERB, the governing party in Bulgaria and an EPP member party, is fully responsible for the situation. The EPP must react immediately and pressure Boyko Borissov, prime minister of Bulgaria, and his government to stop authorising police violence against peaceful protesters and release all the citizens currently detained for the sole reason of asking for the end of corruption and the re-establishment of the rule of law in the country.
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Valentin Dupouey
Head of the Communication Unit / Press Officer
E valentin.dupouey@europeangreens.eu
T +32 (0) 485 93 99 26
European Green Party
Rue du Taciturne 34, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
www.europeangreens.eu
