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

Politicians arrested for throwing red paint at the Russian embassy in Sofia

| updated on 4/8/22 7:36 PM
Arman Babikyan (left) and Nikolai Hadzhigenov.
Photo: BGNES

Leaders of "Stand up, BG!” movement and former MPs Arman Babikyan and Nikolai Hadzhigenov were arrested for 24 hours, after they threw red paint at the sign of the Russian embassy in Sofia.

They commented that by this act they expressed their civil position against the war in Ukraine. Hadzhigenov and Babikyan also said that Russian ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova should be expelled and Bulgaria should send military as well as humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

The two were handcuffed, put in a patrol car, and detained for questioning, after they refused to present their identity cards to the police. 

About 30 protesters gathered in front of the Police Station where Hadzhigenov and Babikyan were detained. One of them, Valentina Vasileva of the European People's Party commented: "So far we have no information about them. We did something like a protest and poured two cans of red paint on the Russian Embassy." 

Several hours later Arman Babikyan and Nikolai Hadzhigenov were released. 




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

Education ministry discusses introduction of virtue and religion classes

Education must make children not only knowledgeable but also good people, said Minister of Education and Science Krasimir Valchev at a meeting with His Holiness Daniil, Patriarch of Bulgaria and Metropolitan of Sofia. "We are discussing the..

published on 2/20/25 9:02 AM

President Radev: Only united will we preserve Bulgaria in the global turmoil

"Only united will we preserve Bulgaria in the global turmoil. That bright Bulgaria of Levski, which relies on its own strength. The ancient Bulgaria that feels equal to the European nations. That fraternal Bulgaria of free people, which has defended..

published on 2/20/25 8:49 AM

Premier Zhelyazkov: EU should remain united and predictable in its overall support for Ukraine

The European Union must remain united and predictable in its overall support for Ukraine, Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said in his speech at the second emergency meeting on Ukraine, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, announced..

published on 2/20/25 8:32 AM