Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

New arrests over radical Islam in Bulgaria

Photo: BGNES

In the Bulgarian cities of Pazardzhik, Plovdiv and Asenovgrad the Prosecution has pressed charges on 8 people over the case against followers of the “Islamic State." This way charges have been pressed against a total of 15 people. A similar operation was carried out by the Prosecution, the Agency for National Security Agency and the Interior Ministry in November last year in five Bulgarian cities. Then 7 people were arrested for preaching radical Islam mainly in the Roma neighborhoods. Now charges involve participation in a group that advocates extremist religious ideology, the creation of caliphate and resorts to war propaganda. Witnesses claim that the arrested used Facebook to spread calls for jihad and violence, and one of their comments read: 'We declare jihad and will cut the heads of captured infidels." According to the prosecution, the group sought popularity not only in Bulgaria but wanted to establish contacts with "Islamic State" and to receive funding from the organization. The circumstances surrounding the case are somewhat confusing and contradictory. The leadership of the Islamic religion in Bulgaria claims that there is no radical Islam in this country. Some experts on Islamic affairs and security experts are of the opinion that it was not a matter of radical but of political Islam and operations like those carried out in Bulgaria have become commonplace across the world. Experts also claim this country needed urgent law changes in order to avoid future risks. Even the prosecution avoided blaming the arrested of "radical Islam" and holds them responsible for preaching "anti-democratic ideology." Keeping in mind the circumstances, the actions of law enforcement authorities seem insecure. Insecure before threats for decapitating infidels... And this is mostly because of the absence of a law to criminalize activities associated with radical Islam, or political Islam, because the danger of these actions is too obvious.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Federation of European Carnival Cities declares Pernik a global center of masquerade traditions

The Federation of European Carnival Cities has declared Pernik a global center of masquerade traditions.  16 years ago, Prenik was named the European Capital of Sourvakar and Mummer Traditions, and nearly 10 years ago, the Surva festival was..

published on 1/25/25 3:14 PM
Средна оценка: 0 - много неудовлетворен до 10 - много удовлетворен

Eurostat: Bulgarians are the most unhappy EU citizens

Bulgaria ranks last among EU Member States in terms of life satisfaction. This is according to Eurostat data for 2023 published today . With an average level of the Community indicator of 7.3 points out of 10, Bulgaria scores 5.9. Finland tops the..

published on 1/22/25 3:33 PM

The turtle in winter: The Gea Chelonia rescue centre houses over 200 inhabitants

As winter numbs the wilderness, the tortoises hibernate in their shelters, protected from the cold and outside threats. But what happens to them during this time? Where do they feel safest and when can we expect them to wake up?  In the village of..

published on 1/22/25 3:24 PM