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Sat, Feb 11 2012
Police strike back in Pernik after attack on police officer
Photo: Assen Tonev
A large-scale police operation was launched on the night of September 24 2009 in the industrial town of Pernik just outside Sofia, local media said.
As a result, one man who had been sought by police was arrested. A total of 69 places, including coffee shops, bars, restaurants, internet clubs and second-hand vehicle shops were checked by police.
Police also raided 17 security companies in town. A total of 39 traffic violation fines were issued as part of the check and 15 people were fined for not having their personal ID documents with them.
The aims of the operation were to neutralise people with criminal records, to crack down on drug dealing, to search for people with outstanding arrest warrants and to check on traffic safety conditions.
The operation was launched five days after a senior police officer was attacked by two men while sitting at a coffee shop in Pernik. The attack happened on September 20.
Police officer Dimitar Dimitrov was set upon by Rossen Efremov and Yordan "Dancho the Hatchet" Haralampiev, in broad daylight. The pair, described by local Strouma daily as a "drug dealer and his friend", were reportedly "under the influence of alcohol".
The pair entered the coffee shop and started beating Dimitrov in front of other customers, after which they fled, Strouma said. Dimitrov suffered head injuries but his condition was not serious. Both attackers were declared wanted by the police and by September 25 were still at large.
Dimitrov has been with the Interior Ministry for the past eight years. He conducted an investigation against Efremov who was arrested in 2007 on charges of drug-dealing in Pernik. The case against Efremov is still in court.
The attack was condemned by Prime Minister Boiko Borissov, a former chief secretary of the Interior Ministry. On September 24, Borissov visited Dimitrov in hospital where the police officer was reported to be recovering well from his injuries.
According to Borissov, attacks on police officers should be made a criminal offence while currently such a crime is subject only to a fine.
Borissov said that he had asked the Interior Ministry to put forward legislative amendments to change this. These amendment should be ready within a month, he said, responding to a call from the police trade union.
Borissov said that police officers who abused their powers should be subject to severer punishments.
As a result, one man who had been sought by police was arrested. A total of 69 places, including coffee shops, bars, restaurants, internet clubs and second-hand vehicle shops were checked by police.
Police also raided 17 security companies in town. A total of 39 traffic violation fines were issued as part of the check and 15 people were fined for not having their personal ID documents with them.
The aims of the operation were to neutralise people with criminal records, to crack down on drug dealing, to search for people with outstanding arrest warrants and to check on traffic safety conditions.
The operation was launched five days after a senior police officer was attacked by two men while sitting at a coffee shop in Pernik. The attack happened on September 20.
Police officer Dimitar Dimitrov was set upon by Rossen Efremov and Yordan "Dancho the Hatchet" Haralampiev, in broad daylight. The pair, described by local Strouma daily as a "drug dealer and his friend", were reportedly "under the influence of alcohol".
The pair entered the coffee shop and started beating Dimitrov in front of other customers, after which they fled, Strouma said. Dimitrov suffered head injuries but his condition was not serious. Both attackers were declared wanted by the police and by September 25 were still at large.
Dimitrov has been with the Interior Ministry for the past eight years. He conducted an investigation against Efremov who was arrested in 2007 on charges of drug-dealing in Pernik. The case against Efremov is still in court.
The attack was condemned by Prime Minister Boiko Borissov, a former chief secretary of the Interior Ministry. On September 24, Borissov visited Dimitrov in hospital where the police officer was reported to be recovering well from his injuries.
According to Borissov, attacks on police officers should be made a criminal offence while currently such a crime is subject only to a fine.
Borissov said that he had asked the Interior Ministry to put forward legislative amendments to change this. These amendment should be ready within a month, he said, responding to a call from the police trade union.
Borissov said that police officers who abused their powers should be subject to severer punishments.
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Jon, it is a crime, I think what he was saying is that it should be treated as particularly serious.
Stefcho, can you please stop giving us the glorious example of the US as the true and holy way of the future?
That's all we need now - American style cops shooting on sight.
Bulgaria is a free country and freedom has its price - not like the States where there's a law against pretty much everything...
I have been told that the police in Bulgaria can't use there weapon unless it is in extremly serious situation, the protection of one's self is a serious situation. In the States this cop would have turned around and shot the offenders in a second, to disrespect the police is not acceptable anywhere and the police in Bulgaria should have more ability to use force when it is required. It is my understanding that even if the offender has a gun, the Sulgarian police must not shoot the offender until extrem meeasure have been taken to neutralize the situation in [...]
Read the full comment other ways. I'm not saying shoot everyone that is doing someting wrong, I'm saying that the Bulgarian police are restricted to use any moderant force to protect themselves and these two guys would be the one's in the hospital and not the cop. I wish him a quick recovery.
Shouldn't physical assault on anybody be a criminal offence?
I remember being attacked by some local teenagers when I was at boarding school in the UK(30 years ago)and although my injuries were extremely minor (cut lip) the physical evidence meant that charges could be pressed against our attackers, they pleaded guilty and we received compensation.
It really is time that Bulgaria's relationship with the police changes. i.e. They start behaving as enforcers of law and order, protecting and helping the community and the community starts respecting their authority - although I am fully aware this won't [...]
Read the full comment happen overnight. A speedy and full recovery to Dimitrov and may the known assailants now get locked up!
Attack on a police officer is not currently a crime? Is this a misprint by Sofia Echo? I know Bulgarian law can sometimes be 'odd', but I did not think it was insane! Please reassure me that attacks on police are indeed criminal offences.