Several hundred of policemen gathered at what was their fourth protest on Sunday. They demanded a 50 per cent increase of wages and better working conditions and their protest was held under the motto: "Let's Stop Arbitrariness within the Interior Ministry".

The policemen gathered around noon in front of the Czech Embassy in Sofia, as the Czech Republic currently holds the EU presidency. Later, they marched to the President's Office, where they handed a declaration with their demands. Apart from higher pays, the policemen insist on enhancement of the Interior Ministry facilities, elimination of corruption within the system and legislative changes, related to the policemen's work.

Ivan Pavlov, Chairman of the newly-established police trade union, told journalists that the policemen expect from Interior Minister Mihail Mikov to stop communicating with them through

the media. According to Pavlov, Mikov's attitude towards the employees is not serious with a view to his Saturday statement that the policemen gather "to amuse themselves". Pavlov said a five per cent increase of wages cannot be proposed, given that the demands are for a markup of 50 per cent.

Policemen from other cities in the country also took part in the protest.

Source: BTA