The Mayor of Sofia: "The responsibility for the clash lies with the protestors"

Yordanka Fandakova - the Mayor of Sofia

"They crossed the boundaries that were set and approved for the protest" said Yordanka Fandakova, the Mayor of Sofia, during a session of the City Council.

Fandakova criticised the protesters' actions: "All political parties in the Sofia City Council stand united in condemning all this. Bulgaria is a state, governed by law, and we shall act accordingly".

In the light of the forthcoming presidential and local elections, however, she said that provocations can occur during the course of an election campaign. The Mayor added that it will be down to the Interior Ministry and the Police Force's investigators to determine whose fault the incident was and to prevent future disturbances.

Source: Focus News Agency

A Bulgarian far right party may be banned

Far right party leader Volen Siderov

The Bulgarian far right party Ataka may be banned for inciting religious hatred and hatred on ethnic grounds, said the Chief Prosecutor for Sofia, Nikolai Kokinov.

The leader the party, Volen Siderov, and the independent MP Korman Ismailov got into a fight this morning during the weekly program of the Bulgarian National Radio Nedelia150 (Sunday 150). Before the fray began, the two politicians were exchanging provocative statements.

"You are promoters of radical Islam. You are promoters of extremism. You are dangerous for the whole of Europe." were the words Siderov directed to Korman Ismailov.

They were both guests of the show in order to discuss a clash between Ataka MPs and supporters and Muslims, which happened during the Friday prayer in front of the main mosque in Sofia - Banya Bashi.

According to Focus News Agency, the far right party had staged a protest against the use of loudspeakers by the mosque when its supporters started insulting the Muslims, calling them "janissaries" and "dupes". This led to a fight between the Muslims and the protesters. Twelve people were injured, including five policemen.

Ataka is known for its anti-Turks, gypsies and Muslims platform and hatred-filled statements and protests against these groups have taken place in the past. Never before, however, were people hurt as a result.

Prosecutors are currently gathering evidence and if the party is found guilty, it will be outlawed.