site.btaProsecutor General Sarafov and MEP Radev Discuss Urgent Actions Against Animal Cruelty in Bulgaria

Acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov and Bulgarian MEP Emil Radev (GERB/EPP), who is also Vice President of the Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals, discussed urgent actions on animal cruelty cases, the Prosecutor's Office reported on Thursday. The discussion followed the arrest of a 26-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man for torturing and killing animals, filming the acts and selling the footage to customers worldwide. 

Sarafov assured that the Bulgarian prosecution will be uncompromising in using its powers to combat such extreme cruelty to animals and will pursue the perpetrators with the full force of the law.

Radev presented a position from the Intergroup calling for stricter punishments for animal abusers and the regulation of online platforms to prevent the spread of materials depicting animal abuse. The position has also been sent to Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and Justice Minister Georgi Georgiev. The document was signed by the Intergroup President Niels Fuglsang, a Danish MEP and a member of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats.

Both Sarafov and Radev agreed on the need for active cooperation with European institutions to ensure full implementation of existing animal welfare legislation and to consider measures against the online distribution of animal abuse content, applicable across the European Union.