site.btaInterior Minister Describes Case of Man Who Died in Police Custody as Disgrace, Not to Be Tolerated

Interior Minister Daniel Mitov described the February 26 case, in which a 47-year-old man died during police arrest in Kazanlak (Central Bulgaria), as "а disgrace". Speaking in Kazanlak on Thursday, he added that the Ministry must work hard to ensure that officers, who are obliged to react in certain situations, are well instructed and well trained, know the law, do not go beyond their powers and carry out their activities in a way that is compatible with the law.

The Minister appointed an inquiry into the Regional Headquarters and two police officers were charged with manslaughter.

He stressed that police violence and going beyond the call of duty would not be tolerated in any way. "There are pre-trial proceedings in this case, charges have been filed, and the director of the Interior Ministry's Regional Directorate has taken measures regarding discipline," Mitov said. "From now on, such phenomena will not be tolerated. We are determined that, especially now with the increase in the salaries of Interior Ministry employees, the requirements will also be much raised," he noted.