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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [POLITICS]

2 clusters · 12 sources · 6 days · First seen 11 days ago · Last updated 5 days ago

Police violence and detention allegations in Kardzhali

Overview

In mid-October 2026, Erol Mumyun, the Mayor of Kardzhali and Deputy Chairman of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS), reported dozens of complaints regarding alleged physical violence by police against citizens in the Kardzhali region. Mumyun stated that these reports had been increasing over recent months and called for explanations from the Ministry of Interior. The DPS parliamentary group subsequently demanded the resignation of Chief Commissioner Stery Milchev, the Director of the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior in Kardzhali.

By late October, the situation escalated when police entered the municipal building to detain Mayor Mumyun for questioning. On October 22, reports indicated that Mumyun was taken from his office and his home was searched. Mumyun characterized the police action as “political repression,” stating the investigation stems from a 2024 claim by a former employee, Monika Atanasova, alleging pressure to resign—a claim Mumyun disputes, noting the individual was dismissed for disciplinary reasons and had previously lost legal battles regarding her dismissal. This incident follows the recent arrests of DPS mayors from Sungurlare and Belitsa, as well as previous police operations involving the deputy mayor and municipal secretary of Kardzhali.

DPS officials, including Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Aiten Sabri, condemned the actions as targeted political pressure against their party and the Turkish and Muslim communities in Bulgaria. In response, hundreds of supporters gathered at the Kardzhali Regional Directorate to show solidarity. Prime Minister Rumen Radev has rejected claims of political bias, stating that institutions are acting based on corruption reports and legal procedures.

Entities

Kardzhali · Ministry of Interior · Stery Milchev · Rumen Radev · Movement for Rights and Freedoms

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 6 SOURCES] Erol Myumun was taken from his office for questioning by police. dobrudjabg.com · www.zname.info · zonanews.bg · fakti.bg · petel.bg · +1 more
[● 5 SOURCES] Police conducted a search of Myumun's home. www.zname.info · trafficnews.bg · novini247.com · fakti.bg · petel.bg
[● 3 SOURCES] Ayten Sabri claimed the actions are political repression against DPS. www.zname.info · zonanews.bg · fakti.bg
[● 2 SOURCES] The investigation is based on a 2024 report regarding alleged pressure to resign. trafficnews.bg · fakti.bg
[● 2 SOURCES] The investigation follows recent police actions against the mayors of Belitsa and Sungurlare. dobrudjabg.com · zonanews.bg
[○ 1 SOURCE] Prime Minister Rumen Radev stated that institutions are acting based on corruption signals. fakti.bg

Timeline

5 days ago

[POLITICS] 10 sources
Kardzhali Mayor Erol Myumun taken for questioning by police
Kardzhali Mayor Erol Myumun was taken for questioning and his home searched following a report of workplace pressure. DPS leaders have denounced the move as political repression.
11 days ago

[POLITICS] 2 sources
Kardzhali Mayor reports dozens of police violence allegations
DPS Deputy Chairman Erol Mumyun has reported dozens of allegations of police violence in Kardzhali, calling for Ministry of Interior explanations and the resignation of the regional police director.

Sources

dobrudjabg.com · fakti.bg · netnews.bg · novini247.com · petel.bg · ruse.news · safenews.bg · standartnews.com · trafficnews.bg · vesti.bg · zname.info · zonanews.bg

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history