Bulgarian Anti-Corruption Protester, Self-Immolator Died 1 Year Ago

Plamen Goranov, who became known as the Bulgarian Jan Palach, died one year ago.

36-year-old Goranov died on March 3, 2013 after setting himself ablaze in front of the Varna Municipality building in protest against the corruption-ridden local authorities.

After spending days in medically induced coma, Goranov died of multi-system organ failure. Several days after the death of Goranov, then-Mayor Kiril Yordanov resigned.

Goranov set himself on fire on February 20 against a backdrop of mass nationwide anti-government rallies sparked by high electricity bills, low incomes and unemployment. The center-right GERB government of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov resigned on February 20.

Residents of the Black Sea city of Varna have been invited to light a candle in his memory in front of the Varna Municipality building at 6.30 pm on Monday.