Sofia Mayor: “The Largest Peaceful Protest in Years Was Marred by a Group of Hooligans”

The largest peaceful protest in many years was marred by a group of hooligans, Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev told BNT late in the vening on December 1.

“It is extremely painful to watch the city being destroyed,” Mayor Terziev said.

He confirmed that a GERB party office had been damaged, along with police cars and vans, and that numerous rubbish bins had been set on fire.

Speaking about the power supply problems in parts of the capital, he said:

“There was a fire at the Rila substation. There is a possibility it may have been deliberately set,” he explained.

He added that he could not comment on whether the police had been adequately prepared.

“I couldn’t say to what extent the police were prepared. That question is more one for Minister Mitov,” he said.

“But you can all see the end result. The end result is that a completely peaceful protest ended with the city being vandalised.”

He noted that he did not know who the provocateurs were.

The mayor assured the public that as soon as the disturbances end, cleaning will begin and public transport will be restored tomorrow.

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