Bulgaria's foreign ministry denounced an assault against an elderly member of the ethnic Bulgarian population in North Macedonia after an attacker struck 80-year-old journalist Vladimir Perev in Skopje. The assailant, reportedly half Perev's age, struck the publicist and shattered his eyeglasses while demanding Bulgarians leave the country and threatening him with execution.
Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev contacted the victim by telephone and pledged Sofia's continued backing. The ministry statement called on authorities in North Macedonia to pursue swift investigation and accountability, noting that membership aspirations within the European Union require adherence to a 2022 compromise protecting minority populations and shared democratic principles.
Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev contacted the victim by telephone and pledged Sofia's continued backing. The ministry statement called on authorities in North Macedonia to pursue swift investigation and accountability, noting that membership aspirations within the European Union require adherence to a 2022 compromise protecting minority populations and shared democratic principles.
