Bulgarian police have opened an investigation after the word “Nazi” was spray-painted on the front of a synagogue in the Black Sea city of Varna and a Holocaust memorial was defaced in Burgas.
The incidents occurred overnight between October 3 and 4, authorities said. The Burgas monument, dedicated to Bulgaria’s rescue of its Jewish population during World War II, was also damaged.
In a statement, Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned both acts, calling them “unacceptable” and saying they cast “a shadow over Bulgaria’s historic achievements, of which the Bulgarian people are rightly proud.”
The ministry added that such vandalism “is not inherent to Bulgarian society” and appeared to be aimed at “creating tension and artificial division among Bulgarian citizens.” It stressed that those responsible would be held accountable.
Police continue to investigate both incidents and have appealed to the public for information that could help identify the perpetrators.