Murders in broad daylight, shootings, car and apartment explosions have become usual things in Bulgaria, Associated press (AP) said.

More than 100 public murders were committed only in Sofia in the past five years. The figures take it to nearly two murders per month. Not a single murderer has been sentenced so far.

Bomb explosions in front of cars and apartments usually preceded public murders, coming as last warning, AP said.

Crime and violence was a serious challenge before Bulgaria. EU criticised Bulgaria's incapability to cope with organised crime and corruption.

Klaus Jansen, head of Germany's criminal investigation office, said that it would be very hard for Bulgaria to change its police. After communism collapsed some policemen continued working for the government while others established the underworld, he said.

Recently the UK decided to send Scotland Yard officers to Bulgaria and Romania to help local police. The UK was afraid that criminals from the two countries would head to the kingdom after the two countries' EU accession, AP said.

Bulgarian media said the accession was a step towards democracy and freedom. Many Bulgarians think that as they failed to deal with crime, EU would make them do so.