The Minister of Internal Affairs calls for changes in police practices after a tragic incident

Interior Minister Daniel Mitov and the Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Interior Miroslav Rashkov held an emergency meeting with the management team of the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior (ODDR)-Varna. Mitov stated that less than two months ago they had toured all regional directorates and given clear instructions to the management staff to train and improve the discipline of the police officers, as well as to oblige them to wear body cameras during the performance of their duties.

Unfortunately, according to Mitov, in this tragic case, there is an excess of police powers. He added that the problem can only be overcome with drastic changes in the regulations and rules for wearing body cameras. Mitov emphasized that the problems with the excess of police powers are the result of low self-control and lack of discipline among some of the uniformed personnel.

The Minister was adamant that police officers are not just people in uniform, but representatives of the state, and that their negligence or rudeness affects the trust in the institutions and the state. He supported the mother of Yavor Georgiev's wish for a new autopsy and stated that no one trains the employees to act in the way shown in the recording of Yavor's arrest. Mitov also emphasized the improvement of the training of the uniformed employees.

At the Minister's initiative, an urgent working meeting of the management team was held at the ODDR Varna building. At this meeting, Mitov and Rashkov emphasized that not wearing body cameras during the performance of official duties will be considered a serious disciplinary violation. They reminded that the actions of the uniformed personnel must be carried out strictly within the framework of the provided legal powers and powers, and that the precision in the assessment of each situation is of crucial importance. The Minister categorically stated that police violence is absolutely unacceptable and every employee must act with respect for the rights and dignity of citizens.

Mitov commented that the dismissal of the director of ODDR Varna, Andrey Angelov, is a necessary management action to restore trust in the police, but is not an assessment of his professional qualities.