site.btaSofia Regional Prosecution Office Referred over Clashes outside National Theatre

Sofia Regional Prosecution Office decided to address the matter with Thursday's clashes in front of the National Theatre of its own accord. This was prompted by numerous publications and media reports showing clashes between citizens and hooligan actions, the Prosecution Office said on Friday.

Tension escalated outside the National Theatre in central Sofia on Thursday as protestors tried to stop the premiere of the George Bernard Shaw play Arms and the Man, which they believe to humiliate Bulgaria. Eventually, the play was staged despite the ongoing protest outside the theatre. It was watched by a small audience, mostly comprised of reporters, as the protesters refused to allow ticket holders to enter the building.

A prosecutor at the Sofia Regional Prosecution Office initiated pre-trial proceedings for a crime under Art. 2 (1) of the Penal Code, which states: "Whoever commits an indecent act, grossly violating the public order and expressing obvious disrespect towards society, shall be punished for hooliganism by imprisonment of up to two years or by probation, as well as by public reprimand."

The investigation has been assigned to the Interior Ministry's Sofia Directorate. If sufficient evidence is gathered to prove that a certain person is guilty of a crime, he or she will be held criminally liable, the Prosecution Office said.

Earlier on Friday, caretaker Interior Minister Atanas Ilkov said no protesters or citizens who came to watch the play were injured.