Removal of the displaced and compromised facing plates with the inscription from the monument to the Soviet Army in Sofia has begun, bTV reported, citing of the regional governor of Sofia Vyara Todeva. Conservation actions on the plinth of the monument “Monument of the Soviet Army” /PSA/ on the territory of the “Knyazheska garden“ have started at 11:30.
On April 9, the Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) canceled the suspension of the dismantling of the monument to the Soviet Army. The decision annuls the order of the Sofia City Administrative Court, which stopped the dismantling.
The Supreme Magistrates leave without consideration the request submitted by the association “Stand up. BG“ of Maya Manolova, in which they dispute the actions of officials from the Sofia District Administration regarding the dismantling and cutting of the bronze figures of the monument. The cassation panel of the Supreme Court accepted that the order of the first instance court was inadmissible, since the association and the individuals had no legal interest in the appeal.
„With its decision, the Supreme Court did not dispute our claim that the destruction of the Monument to the Soviet Army is illegal, that the regional governor's actions in pushing the monument and cutting the bas-reliefs are illegal. This impedes the right of access to court for all citizens. This violates our right to a fair trial”, said Manolova.