site.btaDemonstrators in Rosenets Park Express Support for MRF Honorary Chair Dogan

Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) members and enthusiasts backing one of the two wings in the party gathered in Rosenets Park, on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, on Saturday to express their support for MRF Honorary Chair Ahmed Dogan, whose summer residence is in the area.

A group of MRF members were bused to the place early in the morning. Approached by journalists outside the residence, they declined to give details about their arrival but stressed that they came of their own accord.

The crowd consisted mainly of people from nearby population centres such as Burgas, Aitos and Varna. They waved the flags of Bulgaria and the MRF, chanting "For law and democracy!"

Police and gendarmerie from Burgas were on the scene of the demonstration.

MP Sevim Ali said: "We are seriously concerned about the health, life and safety of our Honorary Chair." He called on the Prime Minister, the President and the Head of the State Agency for National Security to make sure that Ahmed Dogan's rights as a Bulgarian citizen are protected. "It is about time that Bulgarian institutions broke free from their dependencies on one individual," Ali said, apparently referring to Delyan Peevski, the leader of the other wing in the MRF who is said to be a major influence in Bulgarian politics.

Dogan's rights to the property in Rosenets Park and another one in the Sofia suburb of Boyana are being challenged at a time of conflict between him and Peevski.

Ali said Dogan is currently in his Rosenets residence "in excellent health and mood".