site.btaInterior Minister Announces Investigations into Security Breaches at Football Union Protest

Investigations and disciplinary actions have been launched for breaches of official discipline during security operation at a protest against the Bulgarian Football Union on November 16, 2023, caretaker Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov said during Question Time in Parliament on Friday.

Sofia Metropolitan Directorate of Interior (SMDI) Director dismissed four employees after initiating disciplinary proceedings. The orders were challenged in court. Three cases are ongoing, one was upheld at first instance, and the fourth was overturned by the Supreme Administrative Court, Stoyanov said.

SMDI Director ordered investigations against nine officers, resulting in reprimands. Four reprimands were appealed and overturned by the administrative court. These decisions are final and cannot be appealed further under the Ministry of Interior Act.

"A disciplinary proceeding was initiated against an employee by order of the Director of the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior in Burgas, which concluded with a reprimand," Stoyanov said.

Stoyanov observed that numerous disciplinary actions across different institutions are frequently reversed by courts. He has initiated a study to examine the courts' reasoning behind these reversals to help responsible officials identify and correct the mistakes in imposing penalties. "Many acts are overturned, but I believe we can improve the situation, after the study is finalized," Stoyanov said.