Edvin Sugarev, a prominent Bulgarian intellectual and public figure, was denied entry to the Western regions by Serbian border authorities and had his books confiscated from the Bulgarian Cultural and Information Center in Bosilegrad (CIC). A week later, the Politika newspaper published a lengthy article in which it directly alludes, that "someone from Sofia wants to spoil the good bilateral relations," reported BGNES.
The government and President Aleksandar Vucic's administration both endorse Politika. In the piece, which is headlined "Who wants to ruin the Serbian-Bulgarian ties", it is openly alleged that the confiscated books call for national, racial and religious hatred and intolerance". Thus, the director of CIC Bosilegrad was also implicated. Nikolov, Ivan. This comes as no surprise, as the Vranje Court ruled four months ago that the book "contains materials that are against the interests of the Republic of Serbia and has separatist and separatist positions that discredit the authorities in Serbia and BIA" (Editor's note: the Serbian special services).
Politika heavily covered the stance of Bosilegrad Municipality head Vladimir Zahariev, who is seen as an extension of Vucic's hand in the Western regions, to back up its claims. They have "proud relations with the authorities in Serbia, who help them in every possible way," as Zahariev puts it. That "this part of Serbia is the most backward" is a complete and utter fabrication, he said, citing the comments of those in Sofia.
An interview with National Council of Bulgarians chairman Stefan Stoykov is also included in the publication. Stoykov says that "a small number of people from the area who lived in the 18th and 19th centuries" are to blame. Neither Stoykov nor Zahariev mention Edwin Sugarev's entrance prohibition or the books that were taken from him.
This item was published in the pro-Vucic publication Politika.
What transpired on November 8th was the cause for the Serbian ambassador in Sofia, Zelko Jovic, to be called to the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Directing his attention to the Bulgarian intellectual, well-known in the Republic of Serbia as the former Consul General in Nis, Yordan Parvanov, Director General of the European Affairs Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, strongly protested and expressed strong concern about the hostile actions of the Serbian authorities towards him.
False allegations have been made on the Bulgarian prominent figure and his work. That Sugarev's writings have nothing to do with "inciting inter-ethnic intolerance" was a point driven home by the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Serbian envoy was requested to provide an explanation and issue an apology.
In Serbia, Edwin Sugarev's "Elegy for the End" was banned and subjected to censorship.
Yordan Parvanov demanded an immediate delivery of a copy of the court ruling on the steps taken by the Serbian police at Bosilegrad and the refusal to grant Mr. Sugarev entry into Serbian territory.
Mr. Parvanov was astounded and dismayed that the Serbian judicial and police authorities would take such actions on the day the European Commission announced the annual Expansion Package, damaging the dignity of Sugarev and the employees of the Bulgarian CIC Bosilegrad. /BGNES
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