A heated confrontation unfolded in Bulgaria’s National Assembly on Thursday over the “Petrohan” case, a tragic incident at a mountain shelter that has sparked public outrage and intensified scrutiny of government oversight of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
The parliamentary session began with a declaration by the opposition party, There Is Such a People (ITN), which accused authorities and certain NGOs of longstanding mismanagement and of political protection for individuals involved. The remarks quickly provoked a tense exchange with deputies from the ruling coalition We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB), prompting the Speaker of the National Assembly, Raya Nazaryan, to call a 15-minute recess to restore order.
Stanislav Balabanov, an ITN lawmaker, accused PP-DB members and government officials of failing to monitor funds and activities of NGOs connected to the case. “Where and how have you been operating for years under the guise of NGOs? Which funds were distributed, and to whom? I call on my colleagues to respond,” Balabanov said, urging ministers and lawmakers involved in relevant legislation to address the issue publicly.
PP-DB deputy Bozhidar Bozhanov responded by insisting that his party was equally concerned and demanded full transparency. “We are appalled by the revelations. That is why we insist that all documents be declassified to determine whether institutions were covering anything up or if political protection existed,” Bozhanov said. He emphasized that proposed legislation would bar individuals accused of sexual offenses from working with children.
The debate escalated further, with ITN deputy Toshko Yordanov targeting Bozhanov personally, accusing him and his colleagues of obstructing a national registry of convicted pedophiles, using language condemned by other lawmakers.
Following the outburst, Nazaryan intervened, calling for a temporary recess. Other parties, including Vazrazhdane, proposed legislative amendments to make portions of the national pedophile registry public, including offenders’ full names, birth dates, addresses, and sentences served.
Separately, the leaders of PP-DB called for the resignation of the head of Bulgaria’s State Agency for National Security (DANS), Denyo Denev, alleging institutional negligence in monitoring a group implicated in the Petrohan tragedy. Assen Vasilev, a PP-DB leader, said: “DANS were not merely observers. The state, represented by Denev, has shielded these individuals for over a year despite ongoing surveillance, allowing appalling events to occur.”
The Petrohan case, which has drawn nationwide attention, has intensified debate over governmental accountability, oversight of NGOs, and the protection of children. Analysts note that the parliamentary clashes underscore deep political polarization in Sofia and the challenges facing Bulgarian authorities in addressing public trust and institutional transparency.