Thousands came out in protests across the country against violence

A huge wave of empathy for the victims of violence and intolerance for the absence of justice.

Many thousands filled the squares of more than 30 cities across the country to tell a brutally abused 18-year-old girl and others like her that there will be no tolerance for bullies, for bad laws, for poorly functioning institutions or for people whose lives and fates are in their hands.

The protest takes place following a case in which an 18-year-old woman was violently disfigured by an assailant, who slashed her with a knife and inflicted wound that required 400 stitches. The attack was initially treated only as “minor bodily harm”.

Unprecedented cruelty: Man disfigured 18-year-old girl with a carpet knife, released on bail

Court remands man accused of slashing 18-year-old girl with a knife and inflicting injuries that required 400 stitches

The protests and marches started in the evening on July 31 from Stara Zagora and have reached all corners of Bulgaria and even went beyond its borders - with protests in Berlin and Vienna. All these protests have also brought together the voices of many victims and their relatives, who have again demanded justice during these demonstrations.

STARA ZAGORA

Hundreds of residents of Stara Zagora marched through the city. They are demanding that Georgi Nikolaev (man accused of slashing 18-year-old girl with a knife and inflicting injuries that required 400 stitches) be tried with all the severity of the law. They also want legislative changes to prevent such atrocities.

SOFIA

The space in front of the Court Palace in Sofia is filled with people who were there in support of the injured 18-year-old girl and her family.

People said that domestic violence has no place in our society and we should not turn a blind eye to it.

"No more" is the main message on the posters - "no more victims of violence", they said.

VARNA

In the coastal city of Varna, demonstrators gathered in front of the city's courthouse under the slogan: "No to violence against women! Varna is compassionate!"

BLAGOEVGRAD

Blagoevgrad is demanding legal changes and a swift and responsive law enforcement. The march in support of the 18-year-old girl is under the slogan "Let's say 'No' to violence together". This is the largest protest in many years in the city.

The protest ended in about an hour and a half. The protesters were mostly young people.

ROUSSE

Rousse joined the national protest "400 stitches - Freedom or death!". They demanded uncompromising measures against those who perpetrate violent acts against women and, if necessary, changes to the law.

TSAREVO

A rally took place in Tsarevo. More than 500 residents and guests marched from the municipality to the park.

PAZARDZHIK

Over 300 residents of Pazardzhik and the region gathered at a protest in support of the abused girl from Stara Zagora. They demanded justice and adequate law enforcement. Those gathered in front of the Courthouse condemned violence in any form.

KARLOVO

Over 200 residents from Karlovo staged a protest in front of the District Court in the town to say STOP to domestic violence. They spoke out against what happened to the girl from Stara Zagora and demanded justice and strict punishments for those guilty and those who commit such acts.

DOBRICH

In Dobrich, people gathered in front of the Court House in support of the abused girl from Stara Zagora. They spoke out against domestic violence demanding fair and adequate punishments. They want an amendment to the legislation to include the cohabiting partner, not just the husband.

The protesters also called for strict compliance with the law. Some of them demanded the resignations of the medic who examined the 18-year-old girl, the prosecutor and the judge who allowed the perpetrator to get away with arrest. The protest continued with a peaceful march from the Court House to the city centre.

PLOVDIV

Many Plovdiv residents gathered in front of the Court House to support victims of violence and demand a fair sentence for the man who disfigured the 18-year-old girl in Stara Zagora.

VRATSA

A silent protest also took place in Vratsa in sympathy and support for the 18-year-old girl from Stara Zagora who was disfigured with a knife. People demanded a change in the judicial system because the current one is not working and in just a few weeks the case will be traditionally hushed up.

Images by BNT team