On 27 October 2024 during Bulgaria’s parliamentary elections, investigative journalist Diyana (also written in English Diana or Dijana) Zhelyazkova (also written in English Jeliazkova) (Дияна Желязкова) from online media For the Truth (За Истината – https://zaistinata.com/), who is also reporting for other media in Bulgaria, was allegedly threatened by one politician, while covering possible voting irregularities in the village of Vulnari (Вълнари), Bulgaria. Zhelyazkova was investigating a complaint filed with the Shumen (Шумен), Bulgaria, Regional Election Commission regarding a breach of voting secrecy, as this individual was accused of monitoring the voting process at the polling station by allegedly removing the privacy curtain, leaving the voting area fully exposed. The commission, along with its secretary, was already on-site when the incident occurred.
Zhelyazkova questioned a police officer on why this politician was allowed to enter the voting area, to which the officer replied that intervention would require direct instruction from the head of the election commission for that section. During her coverage, this individual reportedly returned, allegedly pointed his finger at her, and repeated, “You must be very careful!” In response to this threat, Zhelyazkova filed a complaint with the police in Nikola Kozlevo (Никола Козлево), Bulgaria. In August this year she became object of aggression by a security guard while covering a meeting of the Municipal Council in Venets Municipality.
According to Association of European Journalists-Bulgaria (Асоциация наевропейскитежурналисти – България – AEJ Bulgaria – https://aej-bulgaria.org/en/), the campaign season was marked by heightened hostility and pressure against the media. AEJ documented four incidents on election day where journalists were either threatened or assaulted. Three of these incidents were allegedly perpetrated by members of the new political alliance, led by a controversial figure. In another case, threats came from an individual presenting as a representative of another political party and aindividual linked to the coalition.
You can read AEJ article here: https://aej-bulgaria.org/en/aej-bulgaria-strongly-condemns-the-violence-and-threats-against-journalists-on-election-day/
One such incident involved a bTV (https://www.btv.bg/) news crew, where cameraman Peter Kartulev (Петър Картулев) was allegedly attacked in Haskovo (Хасково) in Bulgaria. The crew reported no provocation on their part. Two men were detained, and pre-trial proceedings were initiated by the district prosecutor’s office in Haskovo, Bulgaria.
In another case, Zdravka Maslyankova (Здравка Маслянкова), a correspondent for Bulgarian public radio (Българско национално радио – https://bnr.bg/en), reported being verbally abused while covering the election in VelikoTarnovo (ВеликоТърново), Bulgaria. Her alleged aggressor, the son one political party leader, received a warning from the police. Lastly, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (https://about.rferl.org/) Damyana Veleva (Дамяна Велева) faced threats in Dolno Osenovo (Долно Осеново), Bulgaria, allegedly from the one politican, and a man who introduced himself as a political party representative.
The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) firmly condemns the harassment, threats, and violent actions against journalists reporting on alleged electoral violations during the 27 October 2024 parliamentary elections in Bulgaria. It is unacceptable that journalists, including investigative reporters and TV crews, were subjected to aggression and intimidation by political figures and party affiliates merely for performing their duty to inform the public. SEEMO calls upon Bulgarian authorities and political parties to take immediate action to safeguard journalists’ safety and ensure a free press, crucial for democracy. These attacks not only endanger individual reporters but undermine the integrity of democratic processes in Bulgaria.
South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regionalnon-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives andleading journalists in Southeast, South,East and Central Europe. SEEMOmembers are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus,Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia,Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia,Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria),Montenegro, NorthMacedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia,Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine andUzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and SanMarino have a special statusin SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members,and additional mediaas corporate members.
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