Minister of Interior, Kalin Stoyanov, is not going to resign

Minister of Interior, Kalin Stoyanov, said he was not going to resign.

"It is right to make a summary of last night's situation. We all witnessed an unprecedented aggresion in the centre of Sofia. Only the timely reaction of the officers of the Ministry of Interior and the gendarmerie prevented more serious damage and even casualties. That is why I am surprised at the demand for my resignation. Why? Because thousands of Ministry of Interior employees did their job. If I resign, it is to betray them. I don't think the Minister of Interior should be a scapegoat for the long-standing problems in the Bulgarian Football Union," Stoyanov stressed.

Injured and arrested at protest against Bulgarian Football Union during Euro 2024 qualifier, police use water cannon (updated)

"There is no police in the world that would stay indifferent and just watch municipal and personal property being destroyed. The actions that were taken last night by the officers of the Ministry of Interior and the Gendarmerie were reciprocal to the aggression of the fans whose aim was definitely to bloodbath the protest. I stand behind all the police officers who last night, at the risk of their lives, prevented something much more serious. In just an hour, disturbances, that in some European countries become mass disturbances, were put down. At the same time, I do not accept the actions of a few officers who exceeded their powers and gave in to provocation. That is why the Director of the Sofia Directorate of MoI has appointed an internal probe into the whole situation. Anyone who has exceeded their rights will bear their responsibility," said Kalin Stoyanov.

Stoyanov thanked police officers who helped victims of the clashes.

"We were prepared for any action by the fans, it is not by chance that nearly 1,600 police officers were deployed in the centre of Sofia. The provocateurs showed up later. According to the law on the Ministry of the Interior, operational leadership is entrusted to the secretary general. And with that I answer the question - why was the minister not on the spot. I am part of the political leadership of the Ministry of Interior and as such should not be directing the operational interaction with officers on the ground," the Minister summed up.

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Earlier on November 17, “We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria” demanded the resignations of both Minister Stoyanov and the leadership of the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU). In their motives, they pointed to the escalation of tension at the last night’s protest in the area of the National Stadium "Vasil Levski", during the European qualifier match between the national teams of Bulgaria and Hungary, played behind closed doors.