Clients of financial houses are forced to join today’s protest

During a police operation carried out in ten financial houses, 34 individuals with criminal records were found among a total of 43 employees inspected, announced Chief Commissioner Lyubomir Nikolov, Director of the Sofia Directorate of the Interior.

“We received intelligence even before the December 1 protest that people who are clients of such establishments were being recruited, and due to their indebtedness are becoming easy prey for recruiters. For a small financial benefit or the cancellation of amounts owed, they are being pushed to carry out actions they are being forced into,” said the SDVR director.

According to Chief Commissioner Nikolov, the selected financial houses generate criminal activity, since most of their clients are drug- or gambling-addicted. “Because of their indebtedness, they become dependent,” he emphasized.

Nikolov also stated that individuals have been identified who will organize groups for today’s anti-government protest. He added that no arrests have been made, as their activities do not constitute a general criminal offense.

Edited by Diana Tsankova
English version: R. Petkova