Introduction
AEJ-Bulgaria Joins Call to Release Georgian Journalist
The Association of European Journalists - Bulgaria (AEJ-Bulgaria) joined the growing coalition of journalists, press freedom advocates and human rights defenders in supporting the International Press Institute's call for the immediate release of Mzia Amaglobeli. A respected journalist, Amaglobeli has been unjustly detained in Georgia since 11th January 2025, after an altercation with a police officer during pro-democracy protests (see CIVICUS Monitor update on Georgia). In detention, Amaglobeli went on a hunger strike for five weeks, only ending it after doctors warned of imminent organ failure. Her arrest, among others, is evidence of the ongoing suppression of press freedom and democratic values in Georgia.
Association
Civil Society Collaborates on Development of Lobbying Law
An international conference on "The Regulation of Lobbying Activities and Civil Society Organisations" took place in Sofia, Bulgaria on 11th March 2025. It was organised by the Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law (BCNL), Transparency International – Bulgaria, Access to Information Programme, and the Institute for Market Economics. The event brought together policymakers, experts, and civil society representatives to discuss the development of a lobbying law in Bulgaria. The Minister of Justice, Georgi Georgiev, opened the conference, emphasising that drafting such a law is a key commitment within Bulgaria's Recovery and Resilience Plan and its OECD accession process. The Minister also highlighted the need for collaboration between state institutions and civil society to ensure that the law fosters transparency and includes public participation.
In addition, the conference featured international experts from Poland, North Macedonia, Lithuania, and from Article 19, an international freedom of expression organisation. Experts warned against drafting legislation strictly to fulfil international obligations and stressed the importance of tailoring regulations to Bulgaria's specific context. A poorly designed law could either be ineffective or restrict civic participation.
BCNL also presented a comparative study on lobbying regulations and civil society laws from 13 European countries to support informed policymaking. A key takeaway from the conference was the need for a balanced approach that enhances transparency, while safeguarding democratic engagement in the policymaking process.
Saudi HRD Faces Deportation from Bulgaria
Abdulrahman al-Khalidi, a Saudi human rights defender (HRD) and vocal critic of the Saudi government, is facing possible deportation from Bulgaria to Saudi Arabia, where he risks torture and persecution. On 10th March 2025, over twenty human rights organisations joined Human Rights Watch to call on the Bulgarian authorities to halt his deportation and allow his resettlement to a third country, citing international legal obligations under the principle of non refoulement.
Al-Khalidi fled Saudi Arabia in 2013 after years of activism advocating for prisoner rights. The HRD continued his efforts abroad, including participating in the online movement Bees Army which is connected to the late Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. After Khashoggi’s assassination, al-Khalidi sought asylum in Bulgaria but his application was rejected in 2022 on the grounds that Saudi Arabia had taken steps to democratise. Human rights organisations dispute this claim, pointing to the country’s track record of rights violations and ongoing repressions.
Despite an expulsion order issued by Bulgaria’s National Security Agency in February 2024 and upheld by the Sofia Administrative Court in October, al-Khalidi's deportation cannot legally proceed until all his asylum appeals are exhausted. He is currently awaiting a decision from Bulgaria’s Supreme Administrative Court, with the possibility of further appeals. While detained at the Sofia Busmantsi Detention Centre, al-Khalidi reportedly suffered abuse and denial of medical care, as documented by Human Rights Watch. Deporting him would violate Bulgarian, EU, and international laws, including the Convention against Torture and the European Convention on Human Rights. Human rights and legal advocates argue that Bulgaria risks complicity in Saudi repression if he is deported, and have urged immediate action to protect al-Khalidi’s rights and safety.
Peaceful Assembly
Bulgaria's Euro Adoption Sparks Protests
On 22nd February 2025, approximately 1,000 people, including many supporters of Bulgaria's ultra-nationalist Vazrazhdane (Revival) Party, protested against the government's plan to adopt the euro. Demonstrators attempted to storm the European Union mission building in Sofia and clashed with police, throwing red paint, firecrackers, and Molotov cocktails at the EU building, resulting in the front door being set on fire. Approximately ten police officers sustained minor injuries, and six protesters were detained.
The protest began in front of the Bulgarian National Bank, where participants burned effigies of European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde and other officials. Demonstrators waved Bulgarian, Soviet Union, and East German flags, chanting slogans such as “Resignation” and “No to the Euro.” Revival Party leader Kostadin Kostadinov emphasised the need to retain the national currency - Bulgarian lev - and called for a public debate on the economic impacts of adopting the euro.
The Bulgarian government, led by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, has reaffirmed its commitment to joining the eurozone by 1st January 2026, though it is contingent upon meeting inflation targets and other criteria. Economists suggest that adopting the euro could attract foreign investment and improve Bulgaria's credit ratings, potentially reducing debt financing costs. However, public opinion remains divided, with concerns about potential price increases similar to those experienced in Croatia in 2023.
One week after the Revival Party protest, on 24th February 2025, rival marches took place in Sofia, as far-right nationalists commemorated General Hristo Lukov, the Minister of War in Bulgaria from 1935-38, and a controversial figure. Counter protesters, anti-fascist groups, marched under the slogan “No Nazis on our streets”. Despite a ban, the commemoration of Lukov proceeded with torchlit processions. There was a significant police presence due to the high tensions, and Revival Party supporters set fire to the door of the European Commission building in Sofia.
Protest Against Alleged Electoral Fraud
On 12th March 2025, activists from the group Justice for All gathered outside Sofia’s Palace of Justice to condemn what they call a “criminal symbiosis” between Bulgaria’s Central Election Committee and the Prosecutor's Office. The protest took place in response to a deepening conflict between the Constitutional Court and the Prosecutor's Office over alleged electoral fraud in the October 2024 general election. Although the Constitutional Court ordered a full recount on 26th February 2025, due to widespread irregularities, the process stalled after its chair, Pavlina Panova, revealed that the prosecution had covertly obtained evidence and devices from the Election Committee, impeding the Court’s ability to reach a verdict. Protesters and opposition groups accused state institutions of obstructing justice and undermining judicial independence.
Following the disputed October 2024 election, allegations of vote manipulation were filed by reformist parties and the civic group Bulgaria United by One Goal, with particular focus on controversial MP Delyan Peevski and his newly formed New Beginning Party. Peevski, long associated with corruption scandals and sanctioned under the US Magnitsky Act, became a central figure in the controversy. Other parties, such as the nationalist Greatness Party—just 21 votes short of entering parliament—also demanded a recount. Public trust in the judicial system continues to erode, with critics accusing it of shielding powerful figures and failing to investigate major corruption cases that involve key political figures and parties.
Protests Against Oligarchy
On 19th March, thousands of Bulgarians marched in Sofia and other major localities to protest against long-standing corruption and the perceived oligarchic control over the country’s political system, focusing particularly on controversial figure Delyan Peevski and the ruling GERB party. The protest, held a week after a similar demonstration, began at the Palace of Justice and ended at the National Assembly, with demonstrators demanding reforms and condemning the influence of Peevski - an alleged oligarch and leader of the New Beginning Party. Protesters also criticised GERB leader Boyko Borissov and General Prosecutor Borislav Sarafov, whom they accused of maintaining the political status quo and suppressing dissent. Peevski, previously the target of mass protests and international sanctions, remains a symbol of the level of opacity in Bulgarian politics.
Protests against animal abuse
In March 2025, citizens across Bulgaria took to the streets to protest against animal abuse. Demonstrations were held in cities such as Varna and Kardzhali, following earlier protests in Sofia, Pernik, Shumen, Gotse Delchev, and several other locations. The public outrage was sparked by disturbing videos posted online by 26-year-old Gabriela Sashova and 35-year-old Krasimir Georgiev, showing extreme acts of animal cruelty and murder allegedly committed for financial gain.
More than 160 civil organisations responded with an open letter to the authorities, demanding urgent and concrete measures to combat violence against animals. The initiative was led by the Campaigns and Activism for Animals in the Industry, which originally reported the serial killings. The organisations stressed that animal cruelty is a broader societal issue, citing extensive research linking it to violence against humans. They urged Parliament to use its legislative power to ensure better protection and humane treatment of animals.
Other protests also took place during the reporting period. On 19th March 2025, restaurants across Bulgaria temporarily shut down to protest the reinstatement of the 20 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) for the industry. The sector is demanding that the previous nine percent rate be restored, claiming that the tax hike will push many businesses back into the grey economy. In addition to closing their establishments, some restaurateurs planned to block key roads and intersections, with demonstrations in multiple cities, including Varna, Plovdiv, Pazardzhik, Kardzhali, Lovech, and Montana.
Expression
Factcheck Bulgaria Refutes Misinformation on Funding of Media
The factcheck.bg initiative reported that there was no documentation of Bulgarian media receiving funds from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) during the last four years. However, misinformation about alleged funding to Bulgaria has been spreading since August 2024. The article on factcheck.bg sought to refute the claim that Bulgarian media and civil society had received such funding, which has not been documented as being the case. Misinformation on sources of funding to NGOs and independent media can be used to stigmatise or for political agendas.