The first Bulgarian prison "meeting all European and world requirements" was opened in the town of Stara Zagora in the country's south, the Justice Ministry has said.

The Norway Financial Mechanism under the EEA Grants was used to fund the renovation of a prison dating back to 1932. Voluntary work of 52 inmates helped complete the work in just ten months."

"Renovation is due of three more prisons - in Varna, Burgas, and Sliven, where every cell will also have its own bathroom," Justice Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva, who attended the opening, is quotes as saying.

The project, worth BGN 0.889 M (EUR 0.453.4 M), has substantially improved living conditions for 660 inmates, who apart from bathrooms now have permanent access to hot water in their cells.