Bulgaria: Nationwide anti-government protests to take place September 22 /update 15

Event

Nationwide protests are scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 22, to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov. The protests are planned from 17:00 (local time) and will coincide with the country's Independence Day. The most significant demonstration is planned in Sofia, where protesters intend to gather in the vicinity of the Presidential Office Building from 10:00.

Previous anti-government demonstrations have attracted large-scale attendance in the tens of thousands. On September 2, an anti-government protest led to clashes between protesters and police, during which at least 200 people were injured.

A heightened security presence is to be expected in the vicinity of the protest, along with disruptions to overland travel.

Context

Protests were sparked in Bulgaria after a raid was conducted on July 9, by the Prosecutor-General's Office on the presidential headquarters, which protesters and opponents believe was ordered by Prime Minister Borisov. President Rumen Radev's legal affairs and anti-corruption secretary and his security and defense adviser were detained for questioning and their offices searched as part of probes into alleged influence-peddling and disclosure of state secrets. The searches sparked public anger and brought thousands of demonstrators onto the streets of Sofia to condemn the raids as an attack by the government and the prosecutor-general against Radev.

Advice

Those in Sofia are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all demonstrations and political gatherings as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.