Latest News from Bulgaria
Bulgarian Vigilante Migrant Hunter Acquitted on All Charges
A Bulgarian court on Tuesday acquitted Petar Nizamov, the man who made headlines last year after detaining three Afghan migrants, tying their hands with a plastic strap, of all charges.
Prosecutors had demanded at least 2 years of imprisonment for Nizamov, whose own footage of the citizen's arrests released on Facebook sparked controversy both in Bulgaria and abroad.
Bulgaria Summons Turkish Ambassador over Minister's Campaigning
The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry has summoned Turkey's Ambassador Suleyman Gokce over reported campaigning of a Turkish official in favour of a certain party running in Bulgaria's early elections.
Gov't right on Germany but acting with double standards: Main opposition
Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has criticized both Germany for canceling Turkish ministers' meetings in the country and the government for pursuing "double standards."
The CHP defends Turkish ministers' right to campaign in Germany ahead of a Turkish referendum, he said, but criticized the government for its stance on Turkish politicians from Bulgaria.
Bulgaria Posts GDP Increase Above 3% for 2nd Consecutive Year
Bulgaria's national output has surpassed 3% growth for a second year in a row, national statistics show.
At current prices, GDP was BGN 92.635 B (EUR 47.363 B / EUR 6630 per person), according to fresh data from the National Statistical Institute (NSI).
Bulgaria's economy grew 3.4% last year according to the numbers if compared to the previous year.
Bulgaria's Ombudsman: Law on VAT Exemption for Donated Foods Not Working
Last year's legislation which allowed for donated foods nearing expiry date to be exempted from any value-added tax (VAT) does not work as the government has not done its job, Bulgaria's National Ombudsman Maya Manolova has said.
Deputy PM Denitsa Zlateva: Bulgaria Will Lead the Debate in the EU
Bulgaria will lead the debate in the European Union in this crucial time for the future of united Europe, said caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Denitsa Zlateva in Bratislava, quoted by the government press office.
'Bulgaria's Charlie Hebdo' Blocked From News Stands
Cartoonists and publishers behind a new newspaper, published by Bulgaria's "Society of Rude Cartoonists", on Monday said they planned to sell copies of Pras Press directly on Slaveikov Square in central Sofia, famous as a book distribution hub.
Bulgaria's GDP Rose 3.4% in Q4, 2016
The national output of Bulgaria increased by 3.4% over the last quarter of 2016, compared to the same period of 2015, national statistics show.
At current prices, GDP stood at BGN 25.8 B between October and December. In Euro terms it reached EUR 13.191 B in total and EUR 1 849 per person (BGN 3 616).
Bulgaria's Interim Govt dismisses More Local Officials
Caretaker Prime Minister Ognyan Gerdzhikov has dismissed both deputy regional governors of Kardzhali, officials say.
Selvie Ahmed and Rumen Mladenov are no longer Deputy Regional Governors of Kardzhali in Southern Bulgaria as of March 02.
Catholic Priest in Bulgaria Gets Death Threat for Helping Syrian Refugee Family
A municipal councilor in Belene, northern Bulgaria, has launched a campaign against a Catholic priest as the latter decided to accept a Syrian family granted refugee status, Bulgarian media report.
The Syrians consider leaving for fear of their lives.
Bulgaria's Ex US Ambassador Says Her Name Involved in Disinformation Scandal
Former Bulgarian Ambassador Elena Poptodorova on Monday sent a statement to Bulgarian media outlets saying she had not been prepared for the "disinformation scandal" her name got involved into last week.
Bosnia Says Migrant Wave Would Strain Capacities
After warnings that the country may have to brace itself to receive a wave of refugees and migrants, Bosnia is preparing locations for the possible settlement of about 5,000 refugees if the Balkan "refugee route" reactivates in future.
Migrant Injured as Border Police Chase Smugglers' Car
A border police shootout in Western Bulgaria has left a migrant injured, the Interior Ministry says.
The incident dates back to March 04 and occurred near Dragoman, a town not far from the border with Serbia.
A man from Afghanistan was wounded as police targeted the vehicle of smugglers that tried to flee.
Bulgarian Politicians Slam Turkish 'Interference' in Election Campaign
Right-wingers and nationalists have in Bulgaria have vented anger over remarks of Turkey's Labour Minister who urged expats to vote for DOST party in the early election on March 26.
Bulgarian postman with a noble message
Ivan, the postman of a mostly deserted Bulgarian village on the border with Turkey, is running for mayor on a rather unconventional message: If he wins the election, he will welcome Syrian refugees, who now creep silently through the rural terrain, so they can settle in the village's many vacant, dilapidated properties and breathe new life into the settlement.