Sofia: Tens of thousands took to the streets of Bulgarian cities protesting against energy monopolies and high electricity prices. Protesters throwing eggs and stones clashed with police in Sofia as they approached the HQ of the regional power supplier.
Electricity bills have recently skyrocketed in Bulgaria, prompting thousands to join the wave of protests that have been sweeping the country since last week.
Sunday demonstrations saw people marching in more than 20 Bulgarian cities. Thousands of protesters demanded the country’s government to either re-nationalize power distribution companies, or resign.
Protests turned violent in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia, where police blocked the way to the headquarters of Chech-owned power supplier CEZ as the angry crowd of people armed with eggs, tomatoes and bottles approached. Protesters claim the police had stopped and beaten several people, including a young man and an elderly woman, according to the local media. Officials say the police were forced to retaliate after protesters started using pepper spray and tossing broken asphalt at them.
