Sofia, Bulgaria – A social media post has gone viral, sparking controversy over an alleged assault on young boys and a girl in the heart of Sofia. The post, accompanied by a video, claims that a group of individuals of Arab origin attacked the youths on Vitosha Boulevard just hours before International Women’s Day on March 8th.
Although the post has gained traction online, the Sofia Police have stated that they have not received any reports or signals regarding such an incident. Deyan Nikolov, a municipal councilor from the party Revival – “Vazrazhdane,” brought attention to the issue, stating that the children involved were between the ages of 12 and 14, and the assailants were described as migrants.
Krystian Szkwarek, a historian and political scientist, expressed concerns on social media, drawing parallels to similar incidents in other European cities. He highlighted the formation of what he referred to as an Afghan ghetto in Sofia, particularly around the “Women’s Market,” and criticized the government for allowing such developments.
Carlos Contrera, a member of the right-wing party VMRO-BND, also echoed concerns about the alleged attack, questioning the response of the Sofia Police and municipality. He called for information regarding the apprehension of the aggressors and criticized the authorities for what he perceived as a lack of transparency.
The incident has raised issues of security and integration in Sofia, with some expressing fears of potential escalation in tensions within the city. Calls for action from the relevant institutions to address the reported incident and to develop strategies to tackle the perceived migrant problem in Sofia have intensified.
As the controversy surrounding the alleged assault continues to unfold on social media platforms, the concerns and grievances expressed by various individuals and political figures shed light on the broader societal challenges facing cities like Sofia. The incident serves as a reminder of the complexities and tensions surrounding migration and security in urban areas.