Members of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) are converging on the two residences of the party's honorary chair, Ahmed Dogan, in a show of support for him after it transpired that he was apparently being evicted by the de jure owner of the properties. Police presence outside Dogan's Boyana residence has been strengthened since Thursday evening. The arrival of more police was met by applause and sarcastic shouts of "More, more!" as Dogan's supporters were prevented from getting in the property by the police cordon.
The events were triggered as Danail Papazov, the owner of the company which is the formal owner of Dogan's residences in Rosenets and Boyana, wrote in a statement for the press on Thursday that Dogan has no role in the said company, has no right to use the two residences, and should vacate them. Shortly after that, MRF members loyal to Dogan published a video on the social networks complaining that unknown individuals have forced residence staff to leave with no legal grounds.
Papazov and Dogan were long-standing partners but their relations soured following a rift between Dogan and one of the two chairpersons of MRF, Delyan Peevski.
In the early afternoon on Friday there were over 10 police minibuses and patrol cars at the Boyana property, three of them blocking the entrance to the mansion and keeping Dogan's supporters out. MRF deputy leader and MEP Ilhan Kyuchyuk turned to the police officers telling them that "what happened was mostly their fault". "Let your conscience judge you!" he told the police.
The director of the Sofia Directorate of the Interior, Lyubomir Nikolov, told the ralliers that a casefile has been opened on their alert about a security risk for Ahmed Dogan, that it has been reported to the prosecution service along with all the relevant documents, and that a prosecutor's instructions are expected.
He also explained that the representatives of the owner, who are on the property, had called the police to complain that a large group of people were gathering outside. "That was an alert to which we are required to respond," said Nikolov.
Police have also blocked the approach to the street leading to the property.
Later in the evening, the protestors put up three tents just outside the Boyana residence and said they were determined to stay through the night.
Also on Friday, Dogan's supporters rallied in Rosenets park near Burgas. Among them were MPs, local chapter representatives and sympathizers. A BTA reporter saw some 20 people in total.
"If one has to leave their home, it should be done by the established procedure. Bulgaria has rule of law," commented MP Sevim Ali. Ahmed Mehmed said, "We came to support our leader Ahmed Dogan and we won't abandon him. We fear for his life and health, that is why we are here."
/NZ/
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