The Russian Embassy urged Bulgaria to take measures to protect monuments of common history

Russia is outraged by the act of vandalism against the monument to the Soviet army in Sofia and calls on Bulgaria to take measures to protect historical sites. Such a statement did Embassy of the Russian Federation in Bulgaria.

“We are outraged by another act of vandalism against the Monument of the Soviet Army in Sofia and an encroachment on its defenders, committed on the night of August 18. <...> It is sad to see how unconsciousness, homelessness and meanness triumph over valor and self-sacrifice,” the message says.

The diplomatic mission also called on Sofia to bring the vandals to justice and make efforts to protect monuments of history shared with Russia.

In March of this year, the Sofia deputies by a majority of votes supported the initiative of the coalition “Democratic Bulgaria” to dismantle and move the monument to the Soviet army. In early August, Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov informedthat the government transferred the monument to the head of the regional administration. The fate of the monument will be determined in agreement with the city authorities, he said.

In connection with the threat of dismantling, the activists set up a tent camp around the monument, they guard the monument around the clock.

On the night of August 18, unknown people attacked the town, throwing firecrackers at it, the 24 hours newspaper reported. Then the attackers broke the granite slab of the monument and painted its foot. Later, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Bulgaria announced the detention of four fans of the capital’s football team. According to the department, a woman was injured in the attack, and her handbag was also stolen. The Ministry of Internal Affairs clarified that a criminal case had been opened on the fact of theft and hooliganism.