Protests in Ruse and Sofia after the beating of the Ministry of Interior's director

More than a week after the incident of the beating of the Director of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Ruse, the case continues to shake the public, causing widespread repercussions and growing tension. This tense dispute is no longer just a local problem, but extends beyond the city's borders, reaching the capital and questioning the public's trust in institutions.

On the evening of September 4, four young people aged between 15 and 19 were charged with assaulting the Ruse police chief, Nikolay Kozhuharov. Since then, they have remained in custody by decision of the District Court – a measure that has caused a wave of indignation and organized protests.

Today, hundreds of citizens are expected to gather in the city of Ruse to express their solidarity with the arrested teenagers. The organizers of the protest clearly stated that their demands are not merely declarative, and that they are firmly resolved not to give up until the young people's release is secured. The atmosphere of the event is charged with emotion, and the many demonstrators are chanting and waving placards, insisting on justice.

Parallel to the demand for the release of the young people, the protesters are raising another, no less important demand – for the resignation of the Director of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Nikolay Kozhuharov. In their view, it was his behavior and actions that led to the escalation of the conflict and the creation of the tense situation, which ultimately turned into a public incident.

The wave of dissatisfaction has also spread to the capital. In Sofia, another protest is taking place, directly related to the events in Ruse, but aimed at a higher level of government. Its participants are demanding the resignation of the Minister of Interior, Daniel Mitov, emphasizing political responsibility for the situation.

In response to the public tension and the footage of the incident circulating in the media, Simona Popova, a member of the management board of the Ministry of Internal Affairs' trade union, raised serious questions about the authenticity of the evidence. On BNT's broadcast, she emphasized that the distributed recordings have not undergone the necessary expertise to prove their authenticity. "These doubts were caused by many recordings, fragmented recordings, which are subject to expertise to prove authenticity and lack of manipulation, from statements by political leaders", Popova said, adding that she doubts the information that the reason for the situation was false information released by the ministry, since "after all, everything is coordinated with the prosecution".

The position of the trade union, which questions the authenticity of publicly distributed footage, adds another layer of complexity to the case. This move can be seen as an attempt to defend the actions of the authorities and to redirect the focus from the political consequences to the technical and procedural aspects of the investigation.

The scandal surrounding the beating in Ruse continues to be the center of public attention, with every new piece of information or protest increasing the pressure on institutions. This case has become a litmus test for trust in the justice system and the ability of state authorities to act transparently and fairly.