Which language would you like to use this site in A refugee camp near the Turkish border in the town of Harmanli south-east of the Bulgarian capital Sofia © NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV/AFP/Getty Images More than a week ago we arrived to the eastern border of the European Union Since August we have been receiving alarming news and distress calls from refugees asylum-seekers and migrants trying to reach the country a cold and overcrowded detention centre in the outskirts of Sofia where hundreds of men women and children – even unaccompanied minors – are often unnecessarily deprived of their liberty The next stop was the town of Elhovo on the Turkish-Bulgarian border This little town alone has two detention facilities In a custody centre run by Elhovo border police we found hundreds of newly arrived refugees and witnessed how they are been greeted by the EU dozens of families with children and babies are being hosted in a makeshift reception facility – a basketball court really – sleeping rough in squalid conditions and lacking basic necessities “Fights break out among people here over a dirty blanket,” said M “We don’t know what will happen to us,” he continued was in the second-year of his university studies when the war in Syria broke out He eventually had to leave his country and made his way through Turkey the camp is labelled as an “accommodation centre” heavy iron gate with a sign bearing a lion are rows of red and white cargo containers the smell of smoke began to fill the air and we were astonished to see dozens of green army tents hosting men We realized that people have to burn wood they collect from the nearby trees to keep themselves warm and to cook who spent 25 years trying to make their home country a safer place He was a deminer in Afghan minefields until the Taliban threatened him a Taliban fighter insisted that Malalai marry him She and her father refused and the family was forced to move several times to escape death threats “We were proud to work for our country,” said Malalai who is now trapped thanks to Bulgaria’s ineffective asylum system I learned that human rights mean respect but in here I think everything is a lie… There is no ear to hear no mind to understand and no heart to feel.” We witnessed the hardships people in Harmanli have to endure The camp has only eight showers for a thousand people and appalling hygiene conditions they need to pay for their food and provisions Harmanli is the biggest out of five “reception centres” for refugees in Bulgaria The government has hastily put some of these centres back in use after they have lain vacant in a dilapidated state for years Yesterday morning we met the Deputy Minister of Interior who acknowledged the serious shortcomings and described their efforts as a race against time the authorities have been ignoring the signs for far too long have been feeding into the latest xenophobic rhetoric in the country In the past week alone, three people perceived as migrants were attacked by far-right extremists, and one ended up in a coma We have just called a refugee we met few days ago to let him know of the whereabouts of his friends and that they are safe He sounds happy: “All is good,” he says “all is good.” Read more:Bulgaria: Migrants ‘living in fear’ after xenophobic attacks (News story, 12 November 2013)When you don’t exist (Campaign page) Together we can fight for human rights everywhere Your donation can transform the lives of millions If you are talented and passionate about human rights then Amnesty International wants to hear from you priemete nachite iskreni saboleznovania za konchinata na Yanka tvoya silen haracter i tvoyata usmivka nikoga niama da zabravim we are deeply saddened by the passing of Yan We will always remember Yans beautiful smile her positive thinking and the enormous courage she demonstrated during her battle The magical week we spent together in Pamporovo was ages ago but would be forever in our memories This is how we choose to remember her happy planning to go to America to start a new life and be close to the kids It hurts to think that she was taken from us so soon Moite saboleznovania,Tia mi beshe mnogo dobra priatelka koiato mnogo mi lipsva,govorehme si s neia za mnogo neshta.Yanka beshe mnogo SILNA i Viarvashe v dobro.mnogo mi lipsva Dadohme si sedmica vreme za da osmislim fakta che Yanka ne e veche s nas na tazi Zemia.Ostavat hubavite spomeni za neia i vremeto prekarano zaedno.She ni lipsva nejnia entusiasam ,borben duh !Tia beshe edin istinski dobar priatel Neka na novoto i miasto dushata i bade obgarnata s lubov i svetlina Priemete nashite dalboki saboleznovania za tazi zaguda Priemete nashite nai-iskreni saboleznovaniya po povod smartta na Yanka My sincere condolences Deep'm upset and shokirana Pazya best and fond memories of our neighborhood and friendship courage you and your children with the best thoughts for you Svetla We will always remain an example of the fighting spirit and character © 2025 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What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed. we can't find the page that you are looking for Don't let that stop you from visiting some of our other great related content protected by reCAPTCHA.css-trhdh3::after{background-color:#fa9000;}EXPLORE MOREblinking-dotLive updatesLive updates, ‘Blackmail tool’: Hamas rejects Israeli plan to bypass Gaza aid agenciesUN and humanitarian aid groups say Israel proposed ‘dangerous’ ration ‘scheme’ after nine-week siege Francis-era reforms that saw a diverse group of cardinals join the mix make his successor nearly impossible to call The attack comes as Moscow prepares to welcome foreign leaders from China and Brazil Reports say Israel now eyeing occupation of entire enclave control of aid and possible expulsion of Palestinians the California federal penitentiary has been shut for more than six decades A study gives clue to cosmic origin of gold and heavy elements and they were created earlier than we thought Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe says the ‘ongoing’ discussions are ‘still in the early stages’ Attack claimed by Houthis temporarily halts air traffic at Israel’s busiest airport and triggers air raid sirens Hopes that last year’s vote would lead to their release crushed since April 22 killings and crackdown by Indian forces the Museum of History and Archaeology in the town of Elhovo attracts tourists with several standing expositions on show in different buildings One of them is an exhibition displaying the diverse ethnographic heritage of the Southeastern part of the country The exhibits include an array of women’s clothing from the region of Elhovo – some of the most colourful female attire in our lands But there are also precious archaeological gems discovered in Southeastern Bulgaria and along the River Tundzha One exhibit of particular interest is a copper mold “It is dated to the late Bronze Age (14th – 12th BC),” Dobrinka Kostova chief curator at the museum in Elhovo says in an interview for the BNR’s Hristo Botev channel “The mold is shaped like a stretched ox hide of exquisite craftsmanship Three other artifacts like it have been discovered in the country the shape of the one found in the region of Elhovo is perfectly preserved The ingot is frequently displayed at international exhibitions where it can be seen alongside other unique finds.” The new finds include a box of medical tools to be put on display at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences’ National Institute of Archaeology with Museum “They (the tools) look almost the same as modern-day medical instruments,” Dobrinka Kostova explains “They are made of bronze and were used to clean wounds and for other kinds of medical procedures Knowledge of the human anatomy goes back to the dawn of human history The medical box in question was discovered in 2008 beneath a burial mound in Borisovo village near Elhovo.” In Elhovo, the town where Velko Kunev was born there is a special hall dedicated to the popular actor it is not the only standing exposition in the actor’s home town The museum collection offers a glimpse at the life of the renowned actor loved by generations of people in Bulgaria a way to remember his numerous exceptional roles In mid-September, Dobrinka Kostova goes on to say, the Museum of History and Archaeology will host a temporary exhibition of finds discovered during the excavations at the Thracian-Roman settlement in the village of Stroyno "You must have strong faith and pray - then the saint will help you and carry your prayer to God," says Father Georgi Markov of the Church of St Athanasius the Great in Gorni Lozen near Sofia He adds that he has often witnessed the miracles of St. marks 1160 years since the baptism of our Bulgarian people into the Orthodox faith and 1170 years since the creation of the Bulgarian alphabet and Slavic literature the Varna and Veliki Preslav Bishopric Metropolis. Bulgaria celebrates 149 years since the April Uprising – an event that led to the liberation of Bulgaria after almost five centuries of Ottoman rule we must not forget that every participant in the April. english@bnr.bg HOT: » What kind of news would you like to see more of? Officers of the Regional Border Police Directorate in Elhovo have detained 29 illegal immigrants including 28 Syrian nationals and an Iraqi national on the territory of the southeast village of Valcha Polyana According to reports of Bulgaria's Interior Ministry The operation conducted on August 3 was assisted by three officials from Malta participating in the Frontex Joint Operation "Poseidon Land." The adults have been detained at the facility for accommodation of detained persons at the Elhovo border police unit while the women and children have been accommodated at the facility for mothers with children We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria The Bulgarian Border Police received 110 off-road vehicles today In a latest twist to the unfolding saga of political intrigue the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office has announced charges against former Interior Ministry Secretary General Zhivko Kotsev implicating him in an alleged criminal group The Bulgarian Interior Ministry announced on Thursday that Chief Commissioner Zhivko Kotsev who serves as the Secretary General of the ministry In a significant crackdown on organized crime Bulgarian Border Police have detained ten individuals involved in migrant trafficking during a targeted operation in the Burgas area Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov disclosed to reporters in Burgas that a highly active criminal group engaged in migrant trafficking has been dismantled Bulgaria's Border Police Directorate General has revealed a significant surge in migrant attempts to cross the country's borders during the summer of 2023 compared to the previous year An 18-year-old girl who had been reported missing in Haskovo has been found dead A 33-year-old man from the village of Semchinovo has been taken into custody by the police for physically assaulting a 10-year-old child A 12-year-old boy from Lukovit has been hospitalized with two broken arms and head injuries after reportedly being assaulted and thrown from a bridge the director of the Plovdiv Customs Office was arrested earlier today for allegedly facilitating a new smuggling route for cigarettes The Sofia Police has launched a targeted operation against drivers of electric scooters and electric motorbikes who engage in reckless behavior in the city's central areas opened fire with a gas pistol near a kindergarten in Sofia's Lyulin district Google Street View Cars Return to Bulgaria for Major Mapping Update Housing Prices Soar in Bulgaria’s Major Cities as Demand and Supply Strain Increase The Rector and Chairman of the General Assembly of the University of Library Science and Information Technologies in Sofia - UniBIT The greetings to the respected economist and public figure lasted three and a half hours The guests of the festive event were specially received by the "Solemn" hall - the most representative place in UniBIT public figures and friends of the birthday boy began to arrive there Among the first guests were the mayor of the town of Elhovo the modern artist Pavel Mitkov and many other friends of the birthday boy More news from Culture Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev has left for Washington where he will participate in the Munich Leaders Meeting (May 5-7 The forum is organised by the Munich Security Conference The foundation Unity- Kočani has sent an open letter to key Bulgarian institutions expressing gratitude for the support and humanitarian assistance provided by Bulgaria after the tragedy of the fire at a nightclub in Kočani The foreign ministers of Bulgaria and Greece Georg Georgiev and Giorgos Gerapetritis signed a joint declaration on the use of the waters of the river Arda on 2 May the BNR reports citing an announcement published by the Greek Foreign Ministry.. people will be able to withdraw money  from ATMs only in the new currency according to the website of the Bulgarian. helicopters of the Bulgarian Air Force will fly at low altitude over Sofia in preparation for a military parade marking the Day. The Bulgarian student teams that participated in the European Olympiad of Experimental Sciences EOES 2025 in Zagreb have returned with. In the tenth round of the sumo tournament in Tokyo Daniel Ivanov-Aoiyama won against Mitoryū which was Aoiyama’s second victory in a row the 36-year-old sumo wrestler from Elhovo has a balance of four victories and six losses Aoiyama Kosuke’s opponent will be Ryūden Gōshi has climbed one place in the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) rankings Last week Dimitrov took part in the Masters 1000 tournament in the Spanish capital Madrid Bulgaria’s junior group won all three gold medals at the 2025 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Cup in Baku (Azerbaijan) Bulgaria won the gold medal in the Senior Group Cross Battles at the 2025 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Cup in Baku (Azerbaijan) Danaya Atanasova and Viktoria Georgieva performed. had passed away late Sunday night at the age of 63 He underwent several treatments in a clinic in Germany after the Chair of the Union of Bulgarian Actors further assisted for BGN 80 000 to be granted from the State Fund for the Treatment of Bulgarians Abroad Relatives are quoted saying the great actor felt embarrassed to ask and collect money for another round of treatment He graduated from the National Academy for Film and Theater in Sofia in 1973 in the class of legendary actor Apostol Karamitev Upon graduation he received a coveted for many spot in the National "Ivan Vazov" Theater He worked for three years in the theater in the southern city of Sliven to work for another three years for the so-called Satire Theater He became a member of the troupe of the National Theater in 1979 where he performed a number of emblematic roles But it was cinema that made Kanev a true celebrity and a beloved actor for generations of Bulgarians One of these movies – "Orchestra without a Name," has been voted in spectators rankings as an all-time favorite among Bulgarian films Kanev celebrated his 60th anniversary on the stage of the National Theater with the solo play "12 Angry Monologues." He planned to work on a sequel of "Orchestra without a Name" which was set to reunite the characters 30 years later the versatile actor known for his portrayals of iconic figures such as Batman and Jim Morrison passed away on Tuesday at the age of 65 in Los Angeles Sylvester Stallone has selected Bulgarian actress Maria Bakalova for a starring role in his upcoming action film Bulgarian actor Dimo Alexiev was detained in Sofia for driving under the influence of alcohol Bulgaria's Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev emphasized that physical confrontations have no place in either politics or the arts The premiere of a John Malkovich-directed play in Sofia who surrounded the National Theater and prevented ticketed spectators from entering John Malkovich has begun rehearsals for the production of "Arms and the Man" died in a tragic motorcycle accident on a central boulevard in Sofia Renowned Bulgarian journalist Daniela Kaneva has passed away at the age of 87 and public figure Dilyana Grozdanova has passed away the renowned Bulgarian sports journalist affectionately known as Petela (The Rooster) the 39th president of the United States and a tireless advocate for peace and human rights a pioneering figure in Bulgarian investigative journalism has passed away at the age of 72 in Geneva has been placed in preliminary detention for locking up her step daughters and treating them as slaves Burgas Court of Appeals upheld on Friday the ruling of the District Court in the case of Mercedes Somiera Mercedes Somiera was sentenced to four years in prison by the American authorities for repeatedly abusing her three step daughters She was on Interpol-wanted list for months on end in a bid to get her back to the United States and serve her sentence The British national is currently living in the village of Mamarchevo and has a company registered in the town of Elhovo Officers of the Regional Border Police Directorate in the Black Sea city of Varna have arrested at the local airport a Lebanese citizen over illegal drug trafficking has been arrested when entering Bulgaria on a flight from Beirut Border police inform he has been issued a search warrant by German authorities through the Schengen information system has ordered and paid for the delivery of 5 kilos of cocaine from Brazil to Germany He is under arrest at the border police office of Varna airport border police officers have discovered near the village of Golyam Dervent on the Bulgarian-Turkish border two men The illegal immigrants have been arrested and the pregnant woman has been provided medical assistance They told the border police in the southern town of Elhovo that they did not know each other prior to their trip to Bulgaria for which they paid EUR 200 each to some plumber in Istanbul The pregnant woman had said she had lost all her relatives The four will be accommodated in the temporary shelter for foreigners in the nearby town of Lyubimets A family of five Syrians and two Iraqi men have been recently detained as well in southern Bulgaria A wind farm project proposed in Bulgaria’s Varna region has sparked public outcry Bulgaria Air has launched a new seasonal direct route between Varna Bulgarian authorities seized 4 kg of cocaine in Sofia during a specialized operation by GDBOP Bulgaria has been ranked the second most affordable wellness destination in Europe and 13th globally Wizz Air has expanded its presence at Varna Airport with the arrival of a second aircraft further strengthening its operations in Bulgaria Burgas and Varna airports are set to welcome a wide range of new routes and airlines this summer reflecting an expected boost in tourism in Bulgaria The Main Directorate "Border Police" has announced a recruitment drive for 400 new employees This is part of a larger effort to fill an additional 1,264 positions within the police force that have recently been approved The competition will include 390 positions in the Border Police Regional Directorates that require candidates to hold a high school diploma 10 positions in the Border Police Directorate necessitate a bachelor's degree Successful candidates will be required to complete a six-month training course at the Academy of the Ministry of the Interior Applications can be submitted at various Border Police Regional Directorates as well as at border police departments located in Sofia Bulgarian Interior Minister Daniel Mitov has described the case of the man who died in police custody in Kazanlak as “a disgrace” to the Ministry of Interior Nearly 80,000 drivers have been recorded speeding on the streets of Sofia by cameras installed by the Traffic Police according to Commissioner Nikolay Krusharski The identities of the two male bodies discovered near Sofia’s "Iliyantsi" district have been confirmed as 63-year-old twins Ivan and Toma Penkovi A serious criminal case has emerged in Sofia after the body of a man was discovered in a water-filled basement of a municipal apartment building According to Bulgaria's Military Intelligence Service report for 2023 Russia remains the dominant destabilizing force in global security A deviation in the operation of a system on the F-16 Block 70 fighter has been identified during the aircraft acceptance process according to the Bulgarian Air Force Commander The second F-16 Block 70 fighter jet purchased by Bulgaria has departed from the United States alongside European Council President Antonio Costa visited the Arsenal military plant in Kazanlak Russia and the volatile situation in the Western Balkans are identified as the primary threats to Bulgaria’s national security in the 2024 Bulgaria is actively defending its national interests within NATO according to Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov