“I see shortcomings and expect resignations”, President Iliana Iotova told reporters after journalist Sonya Koltuklieva was knocked to the ground by an officer of the National Security Service (NSS) on the evening of October 22. The incident took place outside the headquarters of the ruling Progressive Bulgaria party as the journalist was trying to ask Parliament Speaker Mihaela Dotsova a question. “I will demand the resignation of National Service for Protection Chief Emil Tonev”, President Iotova said.
Earlier on Thursday, minutes after the incident, Iliana Iotova issued a statement in which she “strongly condemned the unacceptable and excessive reaction of an NSS officer towards the journalist.”
“Such behaviour is unacceptable and cannot be justified by the performance of official duties. Journalists must be able to do their work freely and without fear”, the head of state stressed.
Edited by Ivo Ivanov
Translated by Kostadin Atanasov