SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) – Far-right nationalists gathered in the Bulgarian capital on Saturday to honor a World War II general known for his anti-Semitic and pro-Nazi activities.
Faced with sub-zero temperatures, hundreds of supporters of dark costumes from the Bulgarian National Union group flocked to a central square where they planned to start Lukov’s annual march, a torchlight-lit procession held every February at the ‘old house of the gen. Hristo Lukov.
The mayor of Sofia suspended this year’s procession and only allowed flowers to be placed in the house. Police divided the participants into small groups and escorted them.
Last Saturday, dozens of anti-fascist activists demonstrated against the nationalist event, chanting slogans such as “There are no Nazis in our streets.” A strong police presence blocked clashes between the two sides.
Neo-Nazis and related extremists have marched for nearly two decades in honor of Lukov, who supported Germany during World War II and was assassinated by members of a resistance movement on February 13, 1943.
The general served as minister of war from 1935 to 1938 and led the pro-Nazi union of Germany of the Bulgarian legions from 1932 to 1943.
Contemporary nationalists deny that Lukov was an anti-Semitic fascist or that he was promoting neo-fascism. They claim that the descendants of the assassins of the general are afraid of the annual march.
Every year, human rights groups, political parties and foreign embassies have warmly condemned the event. The mayor of Sofia previously banned the march, but organizers repeatedly managed to get a court order overturning the ban.
On Saturday, supporters of the Bulgarian National Union placed a wreath and flowers in front of Lukov’s old house and held torch lights in tribute.