Broad Bulgarian support for vigilantes ‘arresting’ refugees

An amateur video published on social media on 11 April 2016, showing the arrest of asylum seekers by vigilantes, sparked debates at political level and among the wider public about the role of so-called 'patriots' in discouraging refugees from crossing through Bulgaria.

The amateur shows vigilantes arresting three refugees, tying their hands behind their backs as they lie on the ground in a wood. An opinion poll by the Bulgarian National television BNT showed yesterday that 84% of the viewers supported the idea that vigilantes should be recognised and supported by the government.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Closure of Balkan route divides Europe http://www.europeansources.info/record/closure-of-balkan-route-divides-europe/

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

The Sofia Globe, 11.04.16: Refugee crisis: Bulgaria sending further 300 military to border http://sofiaglobe.com/2016/04/11/refugee-crisis-bulgaria-sending-further-300-military-to-border/

The Guardian, 12.04.16: Bulgaria announces investigations into several ‘migrant hunters’ http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/12/bulgaria-arrests-three-vigilantes-accused-migrant-attacks

BBC News, 11.04.16: Bulgarian vigilantes filmed tying up migrants http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36013852

Politico, 18.05.16: Bulgaria to build more fences to stop migrants, media report http://www.politico.eu/article/bulgaria-to-build-more-fences-to-stop-migrants-media-report-europe-migration-crisis-refugees-asylum-human-rights/

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