27 hooligans have already been sentenced for instigating violence during what was supposed to be a peaceful protest before the Bulgarian Parliament on Wednesday. Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (Sofia Photo Agency)
Twenty-seven of the some 180 persons who were detained by the police during Wednesday's street riot in downtown Sofia have been sentenced in quick trials, the Sofia District Court announced.
Seven district judges were summoned Wednesday night to three police departments in the Bulgarian capital to look at the charges on the spot.
Of the total of 37 persons, who were charged with stirred violence during the civic protest rally before the Parliament, 27 have been sentenced under the Ordinance for Combating Minor Hooliganism. Nine have been acquitted.
Four persons were sentenced to fines of BGN 30, eight got fines of BGN 50, nine - of BGN 100, and five - of BGN 200. Only one of the charged persons got a sentence of a five-day imprisonment.
One of the detainees is underage, born in 1991, so his case has been sent to the Committee for Combating Anti-Society Acts Committed by Minors.
Dozens more of the alleged hooligans are going to be tried on Thursday at several police departments around Sofia. The District Court decided to send the judges on the spot in order to save the police time and efforts in transporting the suspects.