Telephone threats linked to national park expansion

Telephone threats linked to national park ski resort expansion

Sofia/Bulgaria - A person claiming to have a contract to develop new pistes in Bansko ski zone in Pirin National Park has made a series of personal telephone threats to opponents of the proposal from the coalition of environmental organizations and civil groups "For the Nature in Bulgaria". WWF is a founding member of the coalition.

The coalition has referred the threats, which included the warning to “take adequate, personal measures against" environmentalists, to the Prosecutor General's Office with a request to identify the unknown person and seek criminal responsibility.

Coincidentally, over the weekend Bansko is hosting the FIS Ladies Super G World Ski Cup.

Among the claimants are representatives of the environmental organizations Association of Parks in Bulgaria, “Balkani” Wildlife Society, Environmental Partnership and WWF. It became clear that there were also telephone threats against a representative of The Greens political party.

The coalition "For the Nature in Bulgaria" has asked the authorities for a rapid and complete investigation of the case because, in a democratic society, no one has the right to issue such threats in order to stop the operation of civil society organizations.

The systematic harassment of certain people from several environmental NGOs began a few months ago. The threats against them were made on their office phones, in their capacity as employees who perform their duties in the organizations. This is a punishable offense under the Criminal Code, the environmentalists said.

What were the telephone threats about?

The unknown caller gave his full name and position, both clearly associated with Bansko ski zone in Pirin National Park. People who have spoken to the real person before confirmed the voice on the phone was his.

The caller rang insistently and persevered until finding the people he intended to threaten over the phone.

He cited details like names of companies and individuals. The person also boasted that he was already "designing the new ski track."

The caller stated that he has political backup. Meanwhile, Bulgarian authorities officially deny that a project for the enlargement of the Bansko ski zone has been submitted or that any new construction in the Pirin National Park has been authorized.

This week, the government was expected to decide whether the ski zone was built according to concession contract permits. Previously, the environmental minister has stated that the ski zone is taking around 60% more space than what is allowed by the concession. Only quick actions by the competent authorities can dispel doubts that the decision to legalize the additional territory used, has in fact already been taken earlier.

The caller accused environmentalists for the long queues at the base gondola station of Bansko ski zone. "We will take adequate, personal measures against" environmentalists because "we are most harmed financially by the whole thing."

Asked what measures may be taken, the person replied: "Ones that you don’t even expect. Consider this as a warning."

He called the environmentalists "pathetic, helpless personas that hide like cockroaches" behind the organizations in which they work.

The caller also said, “I know you all. We know you all."

One of the conversations ends with, "And all the best to you, my boy. Be careful what you do from now on."

ENDS

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