Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry calls for annual neo-Nazi ‘Lukov March’ to be prevented
Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry said on February 13 that it categorically opposes the planned holding of the so-called “Lukov March” and called on the responsible institutions to take all statutory actions to prevent it.
Sofia mayor Vassil Terziev issued an order banning the march, but the ban was overturned by the Sofia Administrative Court.
The event honours Hristo Lukov, leader of the fascist pro-Nazi Union of Bulgarian Legions at the time of the Second World War, and is held annually on the Saturday closest to February 13, the anniversary of his assassination.
The “Lukov March” features a torchlight procession though the streets of Bulgaria’s capital city Sofia, and over the years has attracted neo-Nazis from other parts of the world. The organisers seek to portray Lukov as a “patriotic hero”.
The organisers of the Lukov March claim that Lukov was not an antisemite – though he led an organisation with nakedly antisemitic stances – on the hoary grounds that “Jews were among his best friends”.
Organisers never have offered any plausible explanation why they honour a general who headed a pro-Nazi organisation, to the exclusion of any other Bulgarian generals of the 20th century.
The Foreign Ministry said that such manifestations are incompatible with the values and traditions of Bulgarian society and Bulgaria will not allow its territory to be used as a stage for international manifestations of extremism, intolerance, discrimination and hatred.
“Such manifestations are used to undeservedly present Bulgaria in a negative light and to overshadow its achievements in the field of human rights,” the Foreign Ministry said.
The statement said that the ministry will continue to consistently oppose any attempt at division and intolerance in society, actions that undermine the international authority of the Republic of Bulgaria, and will continue to actively participate in the coordinated efforts of Bulgarian institutions to counter hatred, discrimination and antisemitism.
The US embassy said on its website that the march would take place on February 14 from 5pm to 9pm, from the pylons next to the National Palace of Culture to Lukov’s house in Trakia Street in central Sofia.
Counter protestors are expected along the route, the embassy said.
Events involving General Lukov are traditionally considered to be commemorative of Nazi ideology with antisemitic connotations, it said.
The US embassy advised avoiding the area of the demonstration, exercising caution if in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests, monitoring local media for updates, keeping a low profile and notifyng friends and family of your safety.
Sofia municipality said that Terziev had banned the march, following the opinion of the relevant authorities, but the Sofia Administrative Court had overturned the ban.
A subsequent order issued by Terziev limited the event to the corner of Dondukov Boulevard and Krakra Street from 5pm on February, before it moves to Trakia Street. The subsequent order said that the event should be held without participants stepping into the road and without vehicle traffic being stopped.
Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) leader Krum Zarkov, BSP Sofia leader Ivan Takov and the party’s executive bureau stopped condemned the court decision lifting the ban.
“For another year, the demonstration of hatred proves to be stronger than the law,” the BSP said.
“The widespread turning a blind eye by the Bulgarian judicial authorities to the blatant trampling of norms and laws inevitably leads to tragedies,” the party said..
“The weakening of the state in this way allows the rise of dangerous ideologies that are destroying Bulgarian society.”
The BSP described the “Lukov March” as a parade of fascism, racism, xenophobia and antisemitism
The statement said that it is the duty of every political party in the country that supports European values to publicly oppose yet another manifestation of Nazism and xenophobia and to categorically condemn all forms of fascist and nationalist manifestations.
