Protesters Burn Effigies of Bulgaria PM, Violence Feared

An effigy of Bulgarian PM Plamen Oresharski being burned in Sofia. Photo by OffNews.

It is highly probable that Sunday's massive anti-goverment rally will escalate tensions and will lead to violence, according to Bulgarian Ministry of Interior Chief Secretary Svetlozar Lazarov.

On the 24th anniversary of the fall of the communist regime, thousands took the streets of the Bulgarian capital to protest against what they see as a lingering deep influence of shady business structures over Bulgarian politics.

The rally was inspired and led by college students, who since end of October have occupied the main building of Sofia University and lecture halls at other schools.

Many protesters Sunday carried images of embattled Bulgarian PM Plamen Oresharski depicted as a zombie, with some of them burning the pictures.

Around noon, thousands of students, faculty members and ordinary citizens blocked main intersections in the city center, and then some proceeded to block the main Tsarigradsko Shosse and Peyo Yavorov Blvds.

Speaking in an interview for the Bulgarian National Radio, Interior Ministry Chief Secretary Lazarov said that police had received information that the protest might turn violent in the evening.

Earlier Sunday, when ralliers assembled in front of the Bulgarian Parliament, some among them tried to move away the metal fences around the building.

Others tried to stop them, saying that they are violent provocateurs.

A derby game of Bulgaria's senior league between CSKA Sofia and Ludogorets Razgrad will be played at the CSKA (National Army) Stadium in Sofia at 5.30 pm and some have expressed worries about a possible intervention by hooligans.