The Monument to the Soviet army in Sofia. Photo credit: Ivan / ru.wikipedia.org / fragment (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The monument to the Soviet army in the Bulgarian capital was damaged by vandals again, TASS reports. On the night of August, 8, someone destroyed a slab with the inscription "To the Soviet Liberator Army from the grateful Bulgarian people."
The head of the Russian embassy, Eleonora Mitrofanova, assured that the diplomats would definitely convey the official protest to the Bulgarian authorities. The ambassador explained that they would demand that those responsible for this crime be found and punished.
Activists of the "Levitsata!" public association decided that they would defend the monument themselves. They set up several tents near the monument to prevent vandals from attacking. They also want to keep the monument from the city authorities, who are going to transfer the sculpture to the Museum of Socialist Art.
In the evening, representatives of the Vozrozhdeniye party plan to hold their rally in defense of the monument.
Earlier, the Bulgarian authorities changed the status of the monument. It was transferred to private state ownership. Previously, the memorial complex was in public state ownership.
The initiative was taken by the authorities of the regional administration. Now the new owner can decide the fate of the monument.
The Russian diplomatic mission is studying the possible consequences of such a move. Experts fear that now the monument can be handed over to the city authorities, and the deputies of the City Council will have the opportunity to decide on its dismantling.
Russkiy Mir
