Bulgaria’s Prime Minister honours the victims of communist rule

"Today we pay tribute to the victims of the communist regime, preserving the memory of some dark times that must never be repeated," Bulgaria’s Prime Minister, Kiril Petkov, stated in a post on the government's Facebook page on the occasion of today's Day of Homage and Gratitude to the Victims of the Communist Regime.

"The historical facts of the past, in which there is a lack of freedom and democracy, prove categorically that we as a society have come a long and difficult way to this day. Bulgaria is already on the right track and it is our duty to work every day so that our country be democratic, under rule of law, prosperous and free from corruption. A country where life is a core value. A tribute to the memory of the victims! " - the publication says.

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On 1st of February, Bulgaria marks the Day of Tribute and Gratitude to the Victims of the Communist Regime.

The date marks a decision by a Bulgarian communist “People’s Court” on 1st of February, 1945 to sentence to death three regents of the young Bulgarian king, 67 members of parliament, 22 cabinet ministers and 40 military generals and senior officers of the Bulgarian Royal Army, as well as a number of other political figures.

The death sentences were executed on the same day. Many of the relatives of the victims were displaced before or during the process. According to a report by the State Security, for a period of nine months, 28,131 people were displaced and thousands were killed.

The day of remembrance and respect to the victims of the communistrRegime is celebrated on 1st of February at the proposal of the presidents of Bulgaria Zhelyu Zhelev (1990-1997) and Petar Stoyanov (1997-2002).