site.btaProtesters Demand Health Minister's Resignation, Accost Education Minister

Sofia, October 20 (BTA) - Protesters of the Vazrazhdane and Ataka political parties staged an anti-government protest in front of the Health Ministry on Wednesday . They demanded the resignation of Health Minister Stoycho Katsarov and a repeal of his order requiring a "Green Certificate" for access to indoor activities, effective October 21.

The protest blocked the tramways in front of the St Nedelya Cathedral and later moved to the Council of Ministers building. Traffic in the area was blocked because of the protest.

Protesters attacked Education and Science Minister Nikolay Denkov when he was exiting the pedestrian underpass in front of the President's Administration. The man who attacked the minister held a flag of the Vazrazhdane Party. The police interfered and escorted Denkov to the Education Ministry building.

The Bulgarian Socialist Party, the VMRO Party and GERB have also issued statements, demanding Katsarov's resignation.

Later in the day, the Education Ministry said in a press release that Denkov had been accosted by Vazrazhdane supporters who prevented him from moving on and cornered him, yelling insults. The police had to step in and help the Minister reach his Ministry's building. Denkov was not assaulted physically and escaped unharmed, the Ministry specified.

Police sources said off the record that a man had been arrested in connection with the incident involving the Education Minister. RY, MT/YV/LG
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