Bezmer Mayor Demands Checkpoints After US Aircraft Arrive at Base

Twenty‑four hours after the first two United States aircraft landed at the Bezmer air base, Rosen Rusev, mayor of the nearby village of Bezmer, called for police checkpoints around the settlement. He urged residents to stay vigilant, watch for unfamiliar persons and light vehicles, and report any suspicious activity.

A Bulgarian Military Police unit was positioned between the village and the base, extending routine document checks and prohibiting filming of the base entrance. Rusev warned that unchecked foreign presence could lead to a terrorist act that might cause nationwide unrest. Local shop owners reported seeing several police cars, while some villagers expressed skepticism about the measures. The mayor emphasized the need for stronger security at village entry points, though no new protests have been discussed.