28
Aug 2025
13:34 UTC
Bulgaria Tactical: Anti-government protest march slated from City Court to Orlov Most in Sofia from 18:30 (local time) on September 3; maintain heightened vigilance
Current Situation
- On September 3, an anti-government protest march is slated to be held from the Sofia City Court at 18:30 (local time). Thereafter, the protest will proceed towards the National Assembly building and will then conclude at Orlov Most.
- The protest is organized by the civil society initiative Justice for All to denounce perceived corruption in the government. The center-right coalition Democratic Bulgaria is also supporting the protest.
Source: Offnews.BG
Assessments & Forecast
- Based on the mobilizational capabilities of the group and social media estimates, the protest is expected to attract a turnout in the low-to-mid-thousands.
- Although previous protests have transpired largely peacefully, given heightened sentiments over the protest issue, the slated demonstration carries a latent potential for localized clashes between protesters and the police.
- As such, a bolstered security presence is expected to be deployed along the protest route as a precautionary measure. In case of escalating unrest, authorities are liable to use forcible crowd dispersal measures, including conducting arrests.
- Significant disruptions to pedestrian and vehicular movement are anticipated near the abovementioned protest locations from the evening hours onwards.
Recommendations
- Those operating or residing in Sofia on September 3 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance due to the potential for localized clashes along the protest march route.
- Allot for travel-related disruptions from evening hours.
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
Low
AFFECTED AREA
Sofia, Bulgaria
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
Medium
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Credible
Current Situation
- On September 3, an anti-government protest march is slated to be held from the Sofia City Court at 18:30 (local time). Thereafter, the protest will proceed towards the National Assembly building and will then conclude at Orlov Most.
- The protest is organized by the civil society initiative Justice for All to denounce perceived corruption in the government. The center-right coalition Democratic Bulgaria is also supporting the protest.
Source: Offnews.BG
Assessments & Forecast
- Based on the mobilizational capabilities of the group and social media estimates, the protest is expected to attract a turnout in the low-to-mid-thousands.
- Although previous protests have transpired largely peacefully, given heightened sentiments over the protest issue, the slated demonstration carries a latent potential for localized clashes between protesters and the police.
- As such, a bolstered security presence is expected to be deployed along the protest route as a precautionary measure. In case of escalating unrest, authorities are liable to use forcible crowd dispersal measures, including conducting arrests.
- Significant disruptions to pedestrian and vehicular movement are anticipated near the abovementioned protest locations from the evening hours onwards.
Recommendations
- Those operating or residing in Sofia on September 3 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance due to the potential for localized clashes along the protest march route.
- Allot for travel-related disruptions from evening hours.