Bulgarian journalist Sonya Koltukliyeva has been hospitalized after an officer of the National Security Service (NSO) pushed her to the ground outside the headquarters of the “Progressive Bulgaria” party in Sofia. She is being treated for severe shoulder pain, and doctors are carrying out further examinations to rule out internal injuries.
The incident occurred on Thursday, when Koltukliyeva was trying to ask questions to the Speaker of Parliament, Mihaela Dotsova, regarding a controversial presidential pardon. Published footage shows the moment the officer pushes the journalist, who falls onto the pavement, after which the convoy drives away.
The incident has triggered strong political reactions and calls for the resignation of Dotsova and the head of the NSO, Emil Tonev. The prosecutor’s office has initiated preliminary proceedings, while the security service has opened an internal investigation. The GERB party is collecting signatures to call an extraordinary parliamentary session and the dismissal of the Speaker of Parliament.
