Sofia, Bulgaria – A recent online post has sparked controversy after alleging an attack on young boys and a girl in the heart of Sofia. The post, accompanied by a video, claims that a group of 11 individuals of Arab origin assaulted the youths on Vitosha Boulevard in Sofia just hours before International Women’s Day on March 8.
Despite the attention the post has garnered, the Sofia Police have emphasized that they have not received any reports or signals regarding such an incident. Deyan Nikolov, a municipal councilor from the right-wing party Revival – “Vazrazhdane,” spoke out about the issue, stating that the children involved were between the ages of 12 and 14, with the attackers described as migrants. According to Nikolov, a girl was allegedly attacked and insulted by migrants, leading three boys to step in to defend her.
Historian and political scientist Krystian Szkwarek expressed his concerns on social media, drawing parallels to similar incidents in other European cities. He pointed out the formation of what he referred to as an Afghan ghetto in Sofia, specifically around the “Women’s Market,” and criticized the government for allowing such developments to occur.
Carlos Contrera, a member of the right-wing party VMRO-BND, also raised questions about the reported attack, expressing doubts about the response from the Sofia Police and municipality. He highlighted an incident where Bulgarian youths were allegedly attacked by Arabs in the center of Sofia and called for transparency from law enforcement in providing information about the incident.
The statements from these individuals have ignited a debate surrounding issues of safety, immigration, and government response in Sofia. As discussions continue to unfold, concerns about potential tensions in society and the criminal situation in the city have come to the forefront. Calls for action and accountability from authorities have further amplified the importance of addressing these complex societal challenges in Sofia.