Bulgaria PM Borisov Orders Police Out Of TV7 Building

Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borisov on Wednesday said he had ordered police to leave the headquarters of private TV7 channel in Sofia after increased police presence in the building sparked accusations of infringement on media freedom.

“I ordered the Interior Minister Rumyana Bachvarova that Interior Ministry officials leave the offices and studios of News7 and TV7. I call for maintaining law and public order,” Borisov wrote on Facebook.

Earlier on Wednesday, a bailiff entered the TV7 headquarters to seize its equipment placed as bank loan collateral, citing a case of litigation. The bailiff was initially accompanied by two or three police officers but piolice presence around the building soon increased as TV7 hosts repeatedly tried to talk police officers into leaving the room and journalists complained of being unable to carry out their duties.

“I call upon the bailiff to explain her actions which are the result of a court ruling which, as far as I know, has been communicated to the management of the TV channel,” Borisov said.

He also urged financial authorities to release details of the distraint procedure launched against TV7 over outstanding debt owed to collapsed Corpbank, or KTB, last year.

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