Bulgarian protesters block border crossing with Greece twice at weekend, alleging discrimination by Greek police
A group of Bulgarians twice blocked the Ilinden-Exochi border crossing with Greece, on April 27 and 28, alleging discrimination against Bulgarians by Greek police.
The protesters said that they would repeat the action on May 4 unless action was taken against the alleged discrimination, which they said involved arbitrary fines of Bulgarian motorists, penalties of up to 300 euro and confiscation of vehicle licence plates and driving licences until these fines were paid.
The blockades lasted about 30 minutes each, with protesters saying that their action was symbolic and not intended to cause serious prolonged disruption to traffic.
The weekend of May 4 and 5 is the Eastern Orthodox Easter, when traffic between Bulgaria and Greece customarily intensifies.
Residents of the Bulgarian border regions of Hadzhidimovo, Satovcha, Garmen and villages in the area took part in the protest. The protesters said that they wanted the Foreign Ministry to intervene to assist them.
