Eu Day Light

Bulgarian Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev announced that he had instructed the Inspectorate to conduct a comprehensive investigation into all aspects of the incident in Strumyani and that the measures to be taken would be determined according to the results of the investigation.

Demerdzhiev stated that he did not consider the conduct of the police officers and their superiors at the scene satisfactory and that he had therefore taken urgent measures. Noting that the regional director should have been present in the field during the complex situation following the flood disaster, Demerdzhiev emphasized the importance of the official closely assessing the situation, observing people's concerns and intervening.

Demerdzhiev also said that the regional director should have personally led his staff and noted that the police officers involved in the incident did not have body cameras, which should be used in such situations.

Stating that there was no legal basis for detention in the incident in question, Demerdzhiev said that the regional director had informed neither the Secretary General nor himself about the incident.

Demerdzhiev also stated that the person in question had previously had encounters with the police and had been detained on suspicion of aiding and abetting in connection with the killing of the person with whom they were living outside marriage.