Sofia Police Arrest Suspect in Attack on TV Cameraman

Mayor of Sofia, Yordanka Fandakova, declared the rallies against the controversial Forestry Act illegal. Photo by BGNES

The police in the Bulgarian capital Sofia have arrested a suspect in the attack on a cameraman from the TV channel bTV Friday evening.

The attack happened during the protest rally against the controversial amendments of the Forestry Act.

The rallies are being held in Sofia every evening since Wednesday, the day when the Parliament passed the amendments.

Friday evening a bTV cameraman was kicked and pushed to the ground and his camera smashed broken.

A man went around 11 pm at the Pirogov emergency capital, complaining that he has been the victim of a beating. The doctors found his behavior and explanations suspicious and notified the police. Upon arriving to the hospital the policemen established that the 30-year-old man is the one who had attacked the bTV employee and arrested him.

He has a criminal record for robberies. The investigation continues.

9 other people were arrested during the rally. They have been issued citations for violating public order and later released.

Meanwhile, the Mayor of Sofia, Yordanka Fandakova, declared the rallies illegal, noting that everyone has the right to protest, but the gatherings must not impede the daily life and routines of other citizens and damage public and private property.

She noted the demonstrations have not been allowed by the City Hall and no one has requested such permit as the law postulates.

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