Thousands protest in Sofia in defense of Varna mayor and against selective justice

Last night, thousands of people gathered in front of the Palace of Justice in Sofia to protest, demanding an independent judiciary and expressing support for Blagomir Kotsev, the mayor of Varna who was arrested recently. Organised by 'Justice for All', the demonstration took place under the slogan: 'Take the bludgeons away from thugs in power'.

The protesters marched to the National Assembly building and held up posters bearing slogans such as 'Bulgaria is a European country, the end of the mafia is near', 'Law is not a bludgeon', 'Stop covering up the guilty and punishing the inconvenient', and '#Varna for Blago', as reported by BTA. "The latest investigations against mayors and deputy mayors show selective justice and links between the prosecution and the oligarchy," said the organisers.

'The law has an owner, and his name is Delian Peevski — Boyko Borisov's partner. Instead of serving the public and allowing it to function properly, institutions are being used by a few thugs," said Ivaylo Mirchev, co-chair of Democratic Bulgaria, addressing the protesters.

Earlier, Dian Ivanov, the former deputy mayor of Varna and main witness against Blagomir Kotsev, withdrew his testimony. 'Today, I filed a statement with the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office stating that my testimony in pre-trial proceedings 220/24 is false, as it was given under pressure from employees of the Anti-Corruption Commission in Sofia. We will see what happens to me,' he wrote on Facebook.

Last night, Bulgarians gathered in protest in front of the European Parliament in Brussels. According to BTA, the event was attended by MEPs Nikola Minchev and Hristo Petrov, as well as representatives of the Renew Europe and Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe leadership groups in the European Parliament.