Send to Kindle
Tensions flared in Bulgaria's parliament today as the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) raised concerns over the return of migrants with criminal records from Germany, sparking a heated debate in the plenary hall. The controversy unfolded during a parliamentary control session, overshadowing discussions on the coalition agreement prepared by GERB.
According to BSP's Kornelia Ninova, a document revealed that 23 individuals, including six with convictions for serious crimes such as murder, manslaughter, bodily harm, and sexual offenses, had been repatriated from Munich to Sofia on February 8, 2024. The BSP demanded clarity on the situation and expressed fears that Bulgaria might become a haven for criminals.
Deputy Prime Minister Mariъa Gabriel responded, emphasizing that matters concerning criminal liability and police cooperation fall outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' jurisdiction. She reassured that Bulgaria would uphold its obligations under the Dublin agreement regarding migrants.
Tensions escalated further as Toshko Yordanov of "There Is Such a People" accused the government of negligence and misleading promises, while Tsveta Rangelova from "Vazrazhdane" pressed for accountability regarding the housing of the returned migrants.
Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov attempted to address concerns, highlighting that the refugee centers were not overcrowded and promising to provide information on the repatriated convicts. GERB leader Boyko Borissov demanded accountability for any failures in handling the situation.
However, the scandal was defused after Minister of the Interior Kalin Stoyanov clarified that the returned individuals were Bulgarian citizens who had served their sentences in Germany. Stoyanov confirmed that 18 Syrian citizens and six Bulgarian citizens, who had completed their prison terms in Germany, arrived in Sofia on February 8.
The revelation put an end to the controversy, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the repatriation of the individuals in question.
On the occasion of International Migrants’ Day on December 18, migrant business owners in Sofia released a Manifesto of Foreign Entrepreneurs in Bulgaria
At the request of the Pleven District Prosecutor’s Office, the Pleven District Court has ordered the pre-trial detention of three men, citizens of Georgia, who are accused of migrant trafficking
Bulgarian authorities have dismantled an organized criminal network involved in transporting migrants to Western Europe through Bulgaria
Germany’s defense minister Boris Pistorius warned that Russia could regain enough military strength to target a NATO member state before 2029
The European Commission has identified Spain, Italy, Greece, and Cyprus as countries “under migratory pressure,” opening the way for the relocation of asylum seekers to other EU member states
Former German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel has described Germany’s misunderstanding of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s intentions as one of the greatest failures in the country’s foreign policy
Following the resignation of the Zhelyazkov government, attention now shifts back to the presidency, where the next steps of the constitutional process will unfold
Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Rosen Zhelyazkov, announced his government’s resignation on Thursday during an unexpected press briefing
GERB leader Boyko Borissov reacted to the fall of the Zhelyazkov government during a live broadcast on his official Facebook page, following the mass protests across the country.
Following the resignation of the Zhelyazkov cabinet, We Continue the Change co-leader Asen Vassilev said the decision marked the beginning of a needed political correction.
Political Reactions Pour In After the Zhelyazkov Government Resigns
The government led by Prime Minister Zhelyazkov officially submitted its resignation today, marking a significant turning point in Bulgaria’s political landscape.
Bulgaria's Strategic Role in the EU's Drone Wall Defense Initiative
When Politics Means Violence
