site.btaFive More Persons Detained over Indecent Actions at Bulgaria-England Euro 2020 Qualifier

October 18 (BTA) - Five more men have been detained for indecent actions during Monday's Euro 2020 qualifier between Bulgaria and England in Sofia, the Interior Ministry said. Additional actions will be taken for the search and arrest of another five persons, bringing to 16 the total number of people identified as involved in the illegal acts on the stadium.

On Thursday, the Sofia Regional Prosecution Office said it had brought charges against one out of nine persons arrested for indecent actions during Monday's Euro 2020 qualifier. The other eight persons face administrative penalties under the Protection of Public Order during Sports Events Act. Prosecutors commented that there is not sufficient evidence for launching pre-trial proceedings against them.

Since the start of 2019, a total of 78 persons have been detained during football matches in Sofia. The majority of them got administrative penalties, including fines and a ban on visiting sports events for various periods of time. Fast track pre-trial proceedings were launched against six of the detainees for drug possession and against one person for hooliganism. Six of the arrestees were acquitted in court.