site.btaProtest in Sofia Demands Peevski’s Removal from Power, Rule of Law, European Values
Citizens gathered in front of the Palace of Justice in Sofia on Saturday to protest under the slogan "Peevski Out of Power! For a Lawful and European State". The slogan refers to MRF – New Beginning leader Delyan Peevski, who has been sanctioned by the US and UK for corruption. The demonstration was organized by the Justice for Everyone non-governmental initiative.
Later in the day, the protesters marched and blocked traffic at Orlov Most (Eagle’s Bridge) square and part of Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard in downtown Sofia. One of the protest organizers, lawyer Velislav Velichkov from Justice for Everyone, said that several thousand people took part in the protest.
Organizers claim that the prosecuting magistracy is being used as a bludgeon, while the Supreme Judicial Council has long overstayed its mandate, yet successive parliaments have failed to launch a procedure to appoint its parliamentary quota.
In an interview with BTA, lawyer Emil Georgiev from Justice for Everyone said that the main goal of the protest is to expose "the elephant in the room" and to resist society’s growing tendency to ignore it. "A person with 2% public approval should not wield disproportionate influence. If the aim is to follow the takeover of the legislative branch – already under the control of Delyan Peevski – with full capture of the judiciary, then we are the ones who must sound the alarm," Georgiev said, adding that protests alone are not enough to resolve the issue, as Peevski is attempting to consolidate his power through political means, and must be opposed on the same grounds. "Whenever the next elections take place, society’s main task is to resist. Legislative tools and electoral mechanisms will not deliver the change we need," Georgiev emphasized.
Lawyer Mihail Ekimdjiev called on protesters to "stand on the side of good, no matter what they are threatened with". According to him, the prosecuting magistracy has become so degenerated and diseased that it resembles "a malignant tumour that, if not removed, will destroy the foundations of the rule of law".
Writer Zachary Karabashliev, also present at the demonstration, urged citizens to learn how not to obey silently – and to teach their children the same. "Let the police stop following illegitimate orders. Let journalists stop obeying as well," he said.
/KK/
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