Sofia University President: We Will Never Allow Blood on Campus

Some groups of people wished to turn Sofia University into a battleground; to have police and blood, according to University President, Prof Ivan Ilchev.

Speaking at a briefing for the media Tuesday regarding the 3-week long occupation of the University's main building by students demanding the resignation of the current Socialist-backed government, Ilchev said he and his team would never allow such scenes on campus.

The blockade started on October 23, when students occupied the largest lecture hall of Bulgaria's oldest and most prestigious school and later spread to the entire building. It was lifted on November 18 through a vote of the same students.

The President noted that the action was successful as it has shown that Sofia University students have a strong civil position and reject the current situation of political partisanship, backstabbing and lack of morals.

"I know well the organizers of the protest. They show their position regardless of who is in power. They protested against the previous government of Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, as well," said he and reminded that the Sofia University Academic Council had supported officially the motives of the students, but not the form of protest.

"We still think that such young and bright people could have found other ways for their action in order to not increase further the difficulties the University experienced and experiences in the last 4 years in its operation," Ilchev pointed out.

He further stated that it was clear for him that there was outside interference in the "occupation," albeit tacit and backstage.

"I warned the students since our very first meeting that unfortunately unscrupulous politicians will try to use them and their position in order to score points in the political popularity contest. There were such things, though not openly and frankly. This is inevitable – in any protest in Bulgaria, there will always be a political force that will try to use it."

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