The pressure exerted by migrants on the Bulgarian-Turkish border has decreased by almost 50 % in the past months compared to the same period last year. Since the beginning of the year, Bulgaria has registered 10 000 attempts for illegal crossings of the border. This was revealed during a forum on the refugee wave and volunteer corps patrolling the border, which was organised by the regional directorate of border police in Elhovo and was held in the town of Malko Tarnovo. Among the participants in the forum was Georgi Kostov, chief secretary of the interior ministry, Darik radio informs.

The head of border police in Elhovo said that the distribution of leaflets with instructions on how to react when citizens encounter people who had illegally crossed the border was forthcoming in all border municipalities. He also added that three border policemen have been dismissed on charges of being accomplices to smugglers since January. Tensions preceded the start of the round table as representatives of volunteer units patrolling the border were subject to strict security check before being admitted to the hall for participation in the debate.

Kostov called for not demonising all volunteer corps due to the criminal activities of some groups and for distinguishing between different groups. His statement comes after authorities have ordered stricter control and checks to be conducted on volunteer units patrolling along the Bulgarian-Turkish border. The measures have been taken due to the recent cases of vigilante groups exceeding their powers when detaining people who had illegally crossed the border.