site.btaAuthorities Go Ahead with Demolition of Illegal Houses in Sofia Borough, to Offer Alternative Housing for All Residents
The authorities in Sofia have gone ahead with the demolition of illegal houses in the borough of Zaharna Fabrika. The demolition order dates back to 2016 but is only enforced now. The borough mayor, Emil Branchevski, told reporters Tuesday that the process is proceeding without tension. He pledged that alternative housing would be provided for all affected families.
The demolition work began on April 14 and is expected to continue in the coming days due to the significant amount of construction and household waste in the area. The Mayor said that the authorities are assisting the residents as they vacate their homes.
He also said that the preparations for the move have been on for months and the residents have long been warned.
Reports that the affected residents would be relocated to Botunets in another Sofia borough, caused tensions earlier in the day. The mayor of the borough where Botunets is situated, Lilia Donkova, expressed strong objections to the move. She warned of potential tensions in the local community and said she and the Botunets residence won't accept the people from Zaharna Fabrika. Also, she said she had not been consulted.
Branchevski clarified that relocation to Botunets had only been discussed as an option and assured Donkova that no families would be moved to her borough.
Thirty individuals have already been rehomed.
On April 11, a protest was held in front of Sofia Municipality by residents opposing the demolition. They announced plans to form a human chain to block the bulldozers and defend their right to housing.
Also on April 11, the European Court of Human Rights issued an interim measure in response to a request submitted by applicants from the Zaharna Fabrika community. Acting under Rule 39 of the Court’s Rules, the Court instructed the Bulgarian government to suspend the demolition of the applicants’ homes until further notice, in the interest of the parties and the proper conduct of the proceedings. The Court also requested the government to provide information on whether any measures had been considered to rehouse the applicants and their families, particularly children and those in vulnerable health; and whether the applicants themselves had the means to secure alternative housing.
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