Protest in front of the detention center for asylum seekers in Busmantsi. The demonstrators are against the cases of harassment of migrants and activists along the Bulgarian border, and they want the refugee centers to be closed, BNT reported. The organizer is an informal coalition "Solidarity with Migrants" Bulgaria".
Protesters are demanding a package of measures to provide more protection and rights to refugees. Among them - an end to police violence and fair investigations into incidents. Also creating an effective detainee complaints system, more access to legal information and health care.
Protesters are demanding that the closed-type centers be abolished and a network of solidarity shelters supported by activists and foster families be built to provide shelter and financial assistance.
Another topic that concerns the protesters is deportations to countries with established dictatorial regimes.
One of the cases is that of the 30-year-old citizen of Saudi Arabia, Al-Khalidi. The man has been in Busmantsi since 2021 after fleeing from Turkey to Bulgaria, where he sought humanitarian protection because of his democratic views. According to an NGO, he was subjected to police violence in April and the case was dropped. In February 2024, Al-Khalidi received an immediate deportation order from the DANS, and his asylum claim was rejected.