News archive of August 2016

Bosnian journalist Lejla Colak told BIRN on Monday that she had received a series of threats of violence after criticising Islamic garments like the burka and niqab in a post she wrote on Facebook.

In her post on August 26, Colak, an atheist, compared wearing such garments in public to wearing a "strap-on dildo in the streets".

Eight former Bosnian Serb Army troops were acquitted of crimes against humanity including expulsions and murders in the Rogatica area in September 1992.

The prosecution at the UN court in The Hague has filed an appeal against the verdict acquitting the leader of the Serbian Radical Party, Vojislav Seselj, of crimes against humanity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia.

While praising German Chancellor Angela Merkel's policies, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has also shown himself as a practical person ready to make his case outright, a piece in German newspaper Die Welt says.

Both the timing and the venue of the Turkey-Russia friendly on Aug. 31, in the resort province of Antalya, attach great meaning to the friendly match - making it more than just preparation for their respective FIFA World Cup Qualifying Group campaigns.

Fear, rather than ambition, is driving Bulgaria's juggling act between Turkey, Russia and the EU, according to an analysis published by Balkan Insight, the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN)'s English-language website.

Bulgaria is working to change the regulations at some of the migrant accommodation centers across the country to boost "discipline and security", Interior Minister Rumyana Bachvarova has said.

The step could restrict movement out of or into the camp for its inhabitants, she has made clear.

GERB party of Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has said it will unveil its candidates for President and Vice President of the country on October 02.

The move will come just a week ahead of the start of election campaign that is due on October 09.

A 22-year-old Romanian who disappeared in the area of Vladaya, not far from the capital Sofia, has been found, Bulgaria's Mountain Rescue Service says.

The man, who is in Bulgaria under an international exchange program, got lost after going out for a walk, rescue service officials have told Focus News Agency.

Potential investors are to be made familiar with four options drafted by Bulgaria as it aims to launch a "gas hub" project, gas grid operator Bulgartransgaz has said.