Bulgarian journalist Sonya Koltuklieva has been hospitalized after an officer from the National Protection Service (NSO) knocked her to the ground outside the headquarters of the Progressive Bulgaria party in Sofia.
The incident has sparked strong political reactions and calls for Parliament Speaker Mihaela Dotsova and NSO chief Emil Tonev to resign.
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Koltuklieva is receiving treatment for severe shoulder pain, and surgery has not been ruled out. Doctors are conducting further examinations to determine whether she suffered internal injuries.
The incident occurred on Thursday, when the journalist approached Dotsova to ask questions about parliamentary sessions concerning a controversial presidential pardon.
Videos shared online show Koltuklieva opening the door of the parliament speaker’s car. A security officer then pushes her back, knocking her onto the pavement as the motorcade drives away.
The journalist said she remembers the moment she fell to the ground. She later experienced nausea, a headache and severe shoulder pain. She was initially treated at Sofia’s Military Medical Academy before being admitted to St. Sofia Hospital.
The Military Prosecutor’s Office has launched preliminary proceedings, and the officer involved, Martin Varadinov, has given a statement. Meanwhile, the NSO has also opened an internal investigation into the case.
Mihaela Dotsova called the incident unacceptable and expressed her regret to the journalist. She said she was startled when Koltuklieva opened the vehicle’s door and did not see exactly what happened next. Dotsova pledged to seek full transparency and an investigation into the officer’s actions.
President Iliana Yotova, who oversees the NSO, also condemned the officer’s actions. She stressed that journalists must be able to do their jobs freely and without fear.
The case has also drawn reactions across Bulgarian politics. The GERB party announced that it was collecting signatures to convene an extraordinary parliamentary session and seek Dotsova’s removal as parliament speaker.
