site.btaOperation Filming Ghastly Animal Killings Sparks Protests
People in Sofia held a protest against animal abuse on Sunday. The demonstration came after two persons in Pernik were arrested on charges of causing death of animals for payment.
The Regional Prosecution Office of Pernik, 28 km west of Sofia, ordered the arrest of a man and a woman for killing animals in a particularly cruel manner. The torturous acts were performed on various vertebrates such as guinea pigs, rabbits, cats, dogs and albino mice, and the footage was sold to customers worldwide. The 26-year-old woman, who was the mastermind, and the 35-year-old man filmed the scenes in rooms rented by them. The authorities found a computer and a smartphone holding gigabytes of footage of atrocities committed on animals.
The demonstration in Sofia began in front of the Palace of Justice, after which the protesters marched to the National Assembly. With chants of "Reform", the people demanded that the MPs start work on legislative changes as soon as they convene on Wednesday. The protesters expect fair and most serious punishments for the Pernik pair, stricter laws and real punishments for animal abusers in general, and more effective control over internet platforms distributing such materials, the organizers said.
A protester commented to BTA that cruelty against animals may signal similar behaviour against people. Some of the demonstrators were with their pets. The crowd chanted "We want a functioning police" and "Jail them for life." Police were present at the protest.
The lawyers of the Pernik pair said there is no direct evidence that their clients received payment for the footage. The only large amount of money received to the man's account came in 2024 as indemnity after a traffic accident. The prosecution said that the woman's telephone number was on the Telegram messenger. The pair's customers allegedly effected their payments through PayPal and Revolut and in Bitcoin.
Protests are also expected in other cities.
/VE/
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