Vasil Terziev on the scandal with cameras in 138 SUZIE: Full investigation and zero tolerance

The Mayor of Sofia, Vasil Terziev, calls on the authorities to conduct a full-scale investigation, with all the rigor of the law and without any compromises regarding the case in the 138th Secondary School for Western and Eastern Languages ​​(SUZIE) "Prof. Vasil Zlatarski" in Sofia. This was announced by the Sofia Municipality.

Cameras in sanitary facilities are absolutely inadmissible and represent a serious violation of the law and basic moral norms, said the mayor of the capital. According to him, this is a serious encroachment on the personal space and dignity of children. "I fully understand the concern, anger and questions of the parents," said Terziev.

Cameras cannot be placed in premises where there is an expectation of confidentiality, such as toilets, personal hygiene and sleep rooms. This is categorically stated in the practice of the Personal Data Protection Commission (CPDP) on cases of video surveillance in schools, added Terziev. The municipal video surveillance system covers all municipal schools in Sofia, but it is for external and common external spaces, managed by the "Security" directorate, he specified.

The Sofia Municipality will fully assist the Ministry of Interior and the prosecution in fully clarifying all the facts and seeking criminal liability, the municipal administration said. "There will be no tolerance for such actions," said the mayor.

By law, the Sofia Municipality is the owner of the buildings of the municipal schools, but the management of the activity in them, including the use of technical means in the buildings, is within the powers and responsibility of the directors, who are management and control bodies of the respective institution. However, this does not release anyone from the responsibility to guarantee a safe and legal environment for the children, added the Sofia administration.

In order to increase transparency and prevention, the municipality will introduce a notification regime, under which the directors of educational institutions will provide information about all installed video surveillance systems - including the location of the cameras and the companies that maintain them.

The Sofia Municipality does not have the authority to place or manage internal cameras in school buildings and categorically opposes the practice of financing such systems with funds collected from parents. The administration added that they will work together with the Ministry of Education and Science for clearer national rules and stricter control, so that such encroachment is never allowed again. There is no higher priority than the safety, personal space and dignity of children. This is a responsibility that institutions must bear daily and without compromise, the Sofia Municipality also said.

On Tuesday, information was received at the Ministry of Education and Science that the director of 138 SUZIE "Prof. Vasil Zlatarski" in Sofia has been arrested.