site.btaUPDATED National Meeting of Prosecution Service, Interior Ministry Addresses Aggression in Public, Domestic Violence

 “We won’t allow the political crisis to spill over into the judiciary and turn into an institutional one,” Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov said at the beginning of a national meeting Monday of the heads of prosecution offices and the Interior Ministry in connection with cases of aggression in public places and domestic violence. Interior Minister Atanas Ilkov and senior Interior Ministry officials attended the event.

Sarafov said that the purpose of the meeting was to send a clear message to the citizens that the prosecution and the Interior Ministry will not allow uncertainty, lawlessness, chaos and anarchy, despite the severe political crisis that is escalating and visibly aggravating.

Sarafov highlighted taking organizational measures and maximum mobilization and coordination of the efforts of the prosecutor's office and the police at central level and on the ground. "We will spare no effort to live up to the expectations of security, order and justice," he said.

It is unacceptable to witness violence, the Prosecutor General said, adding that the prosecution and the Interior Ministry will not be a passive observer and will have zero tolerance for such crimes.

“Acts of violence in public places are a flagrant disregard for public order, as are acts of domestic violence, and will not be tolerated by us,” Borislav Sarafov added. He acknowledged the need to strengthen prevention through effective, fair and timely punishments for perpetrators.

"We will not allow any gangs, street and road hooligans and domestic abusers to harass and terrorize the Bulgarian citizens," the Prosecutor General said.

“Under my leadership, I expect the prosecution to be uncompromising in enforcing the law,” he added. Sarafov noted that there are constant attacks on the Interior Ministry and the prosecution, but this should not stop the two institutions from doing their job.

Sarafov stressed the public's expectation that the institutions should be active and uncompromising against drivers who use alcohol and drugs.

The meeting was attended by all the heads of appeal, district and regional prosecutor's offices, as well as the leadership of the Ministry of Interior.

Interior Minister Atanas Ilkov said, "We need to join efforts to show the public that the institutions are working to meet expectations." He also spoke of the need to increase public confidence through the efforts of the two institutions.

Minister Ilkov said that the whole society is involved in the public order process, but in many cases it is an observer and chooses only to criticize either the Interior Ministry or the prosecution for not doing their job.

In relation to domestic violence, the Minister noted that in 2022 a department was established in the General Directorate of National Police, which worked actively with all institutions and NGOs, and the results were tangible. He reported an 18% increase in this type of crime in 2024 and explained the data by the fact that victims of domestic violence believed the institutions. According to him, there should be even better interaction with the prosecution so that the results come faster.

Huge resources will be committed to securing commercial establishments and places where there is a concentration of many people and cash, so that we can be adequate and prevent serious crimes, Ilkov further said.

He also noted that there will be increased police presence during the holidays in small settlements.

The Interior Minister reported a serious reduction in the number of people killed in traffic accidents. "We will be unforgiving to any offender," he said.