Anti-government protest in Bulgaria turns violent
SOFIA, Bulgaria — An anti-government demonstration in Sofia turned violent Wednesday, with protesters clashing with police and hurling stones and bottles at the Parliament building.
A local hospital said 23 people were injured, including six police officers.
The demonstration started peacefully, with about 2,000 students, farmers and medical workers gathering to protest the government, which they accuse of failing to cope with the economic crisis and tackle widespread corruption.
But shortly after the start, masked youths believed to be nationalists and football hooligans began throwing stones and chunks of ice at police officers and vandalized several police vehicles.
Riot police responded with tear gas and dispersed the crowd. Interior Minister Mihail Mikov said 53 people were arrested.
Many Bulgarians blame the Socialist-led government for the country's woes, which have been greatly exacerbated by the current crisis over Russian gas. The opposition is demanding that the government step down and hold early elections. Parliamentary elections are due this summer.
Recent comments
Usually in eastern Europe the people got to throw rocks at the police...
Interesting | Jan. 14, 2009 at 9:27 p.m.
Riot police guard Bulgarian parliament building during an anti government protest in the capital Sofia, Wednesday. Thousands of protesters rallied in front of parliament calling on the government to resign for corruption and inefficiency. Bulgaria, whose only supply of gas comes through the Ukraine, could begin running out of its last reserves at the end of the month if the dispute between Ukraine and Russia drags on and supplies don't resume.
- Turkoglu cuts off talks with Blazers 12:52 a.m.
- U2 asks fans to support 12:52 a.m.
- Bees blown out in Colorado 12:38 a.m.
- Beelines 12:34 a.m.
- Michelle Obama glamor to Moscow 12:30 a.m.
- NKorea fired 2 missiles, South says 12:21 a.m.
- Centerville breaks out 12:09 a.m.
- Editorial: America the beautiful 12:06 a.m.
- 'I' and 'we' must cooperate 12:05 a.m.
- The winners and the losers 12:05 a.m.
- Jazz talked Kirilenko for McGrady
- Palin's and Romney's roles in 2012?
- No luxury-tax relief for Harpring
- Millsap's potential suitor list smaller
- U. quarterback set to take his place
- Y. gets verbal from cornerback
- Harpring unsure about his future
- Independence Day activities
- Manti woman paints fallen soldiers
- Palin resigning as governor
- Boozer not opting out of contract
180 - Letters: Stop anti-Obama letters
109 - Lack of Obama photos concerning
95 - Korver stays; what about others?
91 - Utah leaner in too-fat country
90 - Palin resigning as governor
89 - Editorial: A sad day for Utah
85 - Jazz plan to re-sign Millsap
81 - Don't listen to marriage cynics
72 - Letters: Obama resembles tyrant
66
Salaries: AK + Harpring = McGrady. Buy out McGrady. Salary exchange would...
I'm quite proud of that play and I'm proud of Beck to Harline. I still get...
Tracyyyy Jazz must be smoking? Right? IT's gonna be good for AK only, he will...
If Jordan Wynn gets a fair and true shot at being the starter, he will take...
First off, I love Millsap because of his effort and nose for the ball in...
None of the Above! I love Milsap but he doesn't have the tallent to carry a...
Has the SLC Tribune cancelled their Utah Utes Sports section?Sure would be...
The only reason we looked better the last 20 minutes is because S.J stoped...
I am sick of hearing about San Antonio's brilliant cap work. If you have Tim...
It seems like I might be one of the only Kirilinko supporters still left here...