site.btaParents Protest Child Abuse, Decry Lenient Sentence

Citizens gathered in front of the Courthouse in Sofia on Friday to express their outrage over the increasing incidents of child abuse. The protest was sparked by the case of a five-year-old boy from Plovdiv who had been subjected to systematic abuse and violence at home.

The protest involved parents and their children taking part in the demonstration. Protesters claimed that an eight-year sentence is too light for this type of offense and called for fair penalties for similar crimes.

"It's very sad that the State is so indifferent to the future of its children," said Georgi Stanimirov, one of the protest organizers.

Police teams ensured the demonstration proceeded safely.

Plovdiv Regional Prosecution Service earlier appealed the District Court's decision, which sentenced Petar Chernev to eight years in prison for inflicting bodily harm, coercion, and making threats against the boy in a domestic violence situation, as well as for drug possession.