European Court of Human Rights renders judgement in the case of Asen Genov and Tsvetelina Sarbinska versus Bulgaria

Painting monuments is part of freedom of expression, and the convictions of activists Asen Genov and Tsvetelina Sarbinska run counter to this right, enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the European Court of Human Rights ruled. 

The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Bulgaria must pay nearly EUR 12,000 to Genov and Sarbinska. On November 7, 2013, Asen Genov and Tsvetelina Sarbinska spray-painted the partisans' monument in front of the Bulgarian Socialist Party’s headquarters in Sofia on the occasion of the anniversary of the October Revolution. Later, they were charged with hooliganism. Initially, they were acquitted by the Sofia District Court, but the second instance court annulled the decision and fined them EUR 767 each.