site.btaHundreds of Harmanli Residents Stage Protest against Refugee Centre

Hundreds of residents of Harmanli Sunday protested against the Registration and Reception Centre for refugees in the town. The protesters carrying banners and posters marched downtown amid an increased police presence.

One of the organizers, Ventsislav Gospodinov, said local people kept witnessing crimes and public order violations by migrants. "The conflicts are only among the migrants for now, but it is just a matter of time before things change," he added.

The protesters want the facility to become a closed reception centre accommodating up to 400 refugees, down from its current capacity of about 1,500 people. Until then, only families should be able to stay there.

Ivan Ivanov from the initiative committee said: "We want to be able to safely use the recreational and sports facilities and to keep the town clean."

The Reception Centre's director, Rumen Tinchev, answered many questions put by protesters. He said there were no serious problems either with curfew violators or with people with contagious diseases.