Bulgarian Police Arrests Over 60 Illegal Immigrants in Sofia

Officers of the State agency National Security, the Migration Directorate, as well as police authorities have executed a specialized operation and arrested 60 illegal immigrants, located in Sofia, near Lavov most.

Traffic was stopped along the Mariya Luiza Boulevard on account of the action. Several hostels and rooms for rent were raided since information was released that citizens of Afganistan and other Middle Eastern and African countries were residing there.

According to unofficial information, the action was aimed at exposing an illegal trafficking scheme for people coming from Asia, Africa and the Middle East into Europe through Bulgaria.

Hundreds of illegal immigrants reportedly are living close to Lavov Most and are often said to be getting into arguments with locals. This is the reason for constant police surveillance.

In January the State Agency for Refugees to the Council of Ministers imposed curfew on local refugees, in order to minimize clashes with local police and citizens.

Meanwhile, a number of international human rights organizations expressed their severe criticism for the policy implemented and largely deemed it to be an act of discrimination.

The refugee issue continues to be of major importance in the EU as well. The debates regarding the proposal for the implementation of a quota principle were quite heated with the majority of Northern European countries being against it. Discussions on the topic will be continuing in the upcoming weeks.