Police Rescue 100 Besieged MPs after Parliament Blockade as Bulgaria Protest Turns Violent

Charlotte McDonald-Gibson
The Independent
July 24, 2013

The Bulgarian Parliament building.
The Bulgarian Parliament building.

The President appealed for calm after more than 100 MPs, ministers and staff were forced to spend the night in parliament as demonstrators blocked the exits and held off police by throwing stones.

It was the first outbreak of violence in more than 40 days of anti-government protests.

Thousands of Bulgarians angry at what they say is entrenched state corruption and nepotism have been gathering in Sofia each day, and up until this week there had been a peaceful atmosphere.

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