US-Bulgarian citizen arrested in Sofia for burning Russian flag

US-Bulgarian

 

A woman with dual US-Bulgarian citizenship was arrested and then released for protesting outside the Russian Cultural and Information Centre in Sofia, writing “murderers” in chalk on the building and burning the Russian flag.

Alexandra Mileva, also an artist, recently returned from Ukraine, where she was making a film about the Russian invasion. She was arrested in the Bulgarian capital on 29 August, according to the civilian BOEC (Fighter), which filmed Mileva’s detention.

“Alexandra was illegally abducted and held against her will simply because she openly expressed her civil position against the atrocities of the Russian occupiers and in support of Ukraine. The police must learn that this is not Moscow and that they serve the citizens and the law,” said the position of the BOEC civil association after the arrest.

Witnesses to the incident from the BOEC organisation claim that after the Russian flag was set on fire, Bulgarian policemen arrived and pushed, insulted and threatened the protester. They then handcuffed her and took her to the police station.

Polina Velcheva, Mileva’s lawyer, told Euractiv Bulgaria that the young woman was held in police custody for 24 hours. Then, the prosecutor’s office demanded that she be punished for hooliganism with 15 days’ imprisonment or a fine of between €50 and €250.

The lawyer claims that the police considered Mileva’s actions in tearing up and burning the Russian flag to be obscene. The Bulgarian Interior Ministry has not yet commented on the case, although most actions in protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are accepted in Bulgaria as the right to express a political opinion.

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled several times in similar cases to protect the right to peaceful protest.

On Friday, the Sofia District Court acquitted Mileva, ruling that she was expressing her opinion and not disrespecting society.

On Saturday, BOEC and other citizens organised a “barbecue” with Russian flags in front of the Russian Cultural Centre in Sofia as a sign of solidarity with Alexandra Mileva. Several Russian flags were burned during the demonstration, but the police did not intervene.

Source: Euractiv.com

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About Stu Turley 4118 Articles
Stuart Turley is President and CEO of Sandstone Group, a top energy data, and finance consultancy working with companies all throughout the energy value chain. Sandstone helps both small and large-cap energy companies to develop customized applications and manage data workflows/integration throughout the entire business. With experience implementing enterprise networks, supercomputers, and cellular tower solutions, Sandstone has become a trusted source and advisor.   He is also the Executive Publisher of www.energynewsbeat.com, the best source for 24/7 energy news coverage, and is the Co-Host of the energy news video and Podcast Energy News Beat. Energy should be used to elevate humanity out of poverty. Let's use all forms of energy with the least impact on the environment while being sustainable without printing money. Stu is also a co-host on the 3 Podcasters Walk into A Bar podcast with David Blackmon, and Rey Trevino. Stuart is guided by over 30 years of business management experience, having successfully built and help sell multiple small and medium businesses while consulting for numerous Fortune 500 companies. He holds a B.A in Business Administration from Oklahoma State and an MBA from Oklahoma City University.