5 Bulgarian Writers Briefly Detained at 'Coffee Drinking' Rally

A protest rally of bike riders was greeted with applause by anti-government demonstrators in Bulgaria's capital Sofia. Photo by Sergey Antonov, OFFNews

Five well-known Bulgarian writers were detained and questioned briefly Thursday morning at the now-traditional coffee-drinking anti-government rally in front of the Parliament building in downtown Sofia.

Yasen Atanasov, Ivan Dimitrov, Milena Fuchedzieva, Dimitar Kenarov, and Alexander Krastev were taken to a nearby police bus for explanations after demonstratively jumping over the metal fence guarding the building of the Parliament and entering the security zone.

They say they wanted to show that physical restrictions cannot stop faith in what is just and to force those inside the Parliament to finally hear people's demands for the resignation of the Socialist-endorsed government of Prime Minister, Plamen Oresharski.

Over 100 people gathered Thursday for the morning coffee-drinking rally. They were holding national flags, megaphones, whistles, and banners, shouting once again "Mafia" and "Resignation!" Some threw eggs at the building.

One group stood in front of the Parliament, while a larger group moved to the back entrance to meet with angry shouts each automobile presumably transporting Members of the Parliament.

The protesters also chased away a reported of Alfa TV owned by the extremist nationalist party Ataka, after she enraged them by hinting they were paid to attend. She was isolated without any violence.

A protest rally of bike riders was greeted with applause.

There were once again stands offering free coffee to demonstrators.

Thursday was also day 2 of the WORKwithme initiative, where people can bring their laptops to an improvised open-air office near the Radisson Hotel in the vicinity of the Parliament. Free wireless internet and desks and chairs are provided for those who want and can work and support the protests at the same time.

Downtown Sofia remained under a true blockade with all streets leading to the Parliament sealed off by the police. Security measures and police presence in the area are upped to the maximum. Metal fences reach all the way to the Alexander Nevsky cathedral.

The morning protest is to merge with the traditional afternoon rally, the 28th in a row, starting 6.30 pm in front of the Council of Ministers building.

The series of anti-government protests in Bulgaria was triggered by the scandalous appointment of media mogul Delyan Peevski as Chair of the State Agency for National Security (DANS).

Although the appointment was revoked, the people went on to demand that the cabinet resign collectively over ties with oligarchs.

Protesters are also calling for Election Code amendments which will guarantee greater representation of the people in Parliament.

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