MPs freed from protesters’ blockade

Police in riot gear pushed away protesters and formed a corridor to allow those trapped out of the building.

Protests against the left-leaning government have been going on for 40 days in the capital Sofia, leading to an incident on Tuesday evening as several hundred demonstrators trapped 109 people – including three ministers, 30 MPs and their staff – inside parliament.

Police had tried to escort the officials out on Tuesday, but protesters blocked the bus, hurling stones at it. Seven protesters and two police officers were injured.

The appointment of controversial media mogul Delyan Peevski as head of the national security agency sparked the current wave of protests. The appointment was immediately revoked, but demonstrators insist the government is corrupt and must resign.