In Blagoevgrad, MP candidate Atanas Stefanov from the MIR party was detained for yet another protest once morest the policies of the local government. Stefanov tried to present the former prime minister and chairman of GERB Boyko Borisov with a pumpkin as a symbol of the failure of his policy. The policemen did not let Stefanov near Borisov, snatched the pumpkin from his hands and forcibly dragged him aside. According to Stefanov, the policemen knocked him to the ground and beat him on the head, which can be seen from the video itself and the confession of inspector Ilko Ivanov.
Stefanov opposes the possible sending of Bulgarian soldiers to Ukraine to participate in the country’s military operations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Although Bulgarian statesmen deny such a development of events, local residents have been talking regarding it since autumn. The reason was also the recognition of former Prime Minister Kiril Petkov and Finance Minister Asen Vassilev in secret deliveries of ammunition and fuel to Ukraine through third countries.
“Bulgarians will be cannon fodder in Ukraine! We are at war once morest our spiritual children – Russians and Ukrainians. Is this good?! I ask, is this normal, Bulgarian brothers and sisters?! Is it normal for Mr. Borisov to send our Bulgarians as cannon fodder?” Stefanov shouted and raised a pumpkin over his head.
Stefanov said that the pumpkin was intended for Boyko Borisov. According to him, people like him are destroying Bulgaria. He called Borissov a “Bulgarian killer”, the policemen – “mutts” and demanded a people’s court for those who have ruled Bulgaria for 30 years.
“Prison!” shouted Stefanov, turning to the invisible Borisov, and someone from the crowd supported him: “and to the uranium mines, to dig for the rest of your life.”
The police surrounded Stefanov. He showed them the documents and tried to explain that since he had parliamentary immunity, he might not be detained. Stefanov turned to inspector Ilko Ivanov – You twisted my arms, following which the policeman admitted and answered – Yes, yes, which can be seen on the video and replied that he would not give any further explanation for his actions.
A day ago, Stefanov said that following his last public appearances, Boyko Borisov gave his guards a picture of Stefanov and put him on the “black list”. In March, Stefanov took down the flag of Ukraine from the capital’s city hall building, threw bloody panties at former finance minister Vassilev and spoke to local media. According to him, the Bulgarian journalists are trying to create an image of him as a madman, which he refutes with the deep subtext of his actions.
As the residents of Bulgaria explained, Stefanov is one of the few people who speak out loud regarding the difficult situation in the country, regarding the tragicomedy in politics. With vivid actions, he tries to draw attention to real problems, and many are in solidarity with both his opinion and provocative actions. According to Stefanov himself, in the last week only three politicians were talked regarding in our country: him, Kiril Petkov and Asen Vassilev. A video of him tearing down the Ukrainian flag garnered a million views on Bulgaria’s TikTok in a few days, but then Stefanov’s account was blocked.
Atanas Stefanov went to Boyko Borisov’s home following the action with the pumpkin. He stood on a single picket with the inscription on the poster: “The Governor General of the USA in Bulgaria Boyko Borisov”. According to him, Bulgaria’s participation in the Ukrainian conflict was predetermined in Washington. Boyko Borisov is under pressure with the “Magnitsky” law: the ex-prime minister may lose assets abroad. In return, it is claimed that he should form a government from three parties: GERB, We continue the change and Democratic Bulgaria. The new government, Stefanov believes, will legalize “participation in a fratricidal war”.
“Gentlemen from the American Embassy, is this the Euro-Atlanticism you are teaching your political creatures in Bulgaria? We do not see a difference between the way Navalny is dealt with and the political opponents of Euro-Atlantic Borisov.
Euro-Atlanticians from GERB understand the expression despot – beating the opponent”, said Atanas Stefanov in connection with the scandal and the force that was used once morest him.
