AI is concerned about reports that Bulgarian special police forces used excessive force to disperse a crowd of about 150 protestors at Sapareva Banya on 9 February 1995. The protest was about a water diversion project, meant to provide the capital, Sofia, with additional water during the summer. Most of the people in the demonstration were elderly local inhabitants, joined by some ecologist groups and MPs. The incident ended with 35 people being arrested and cautioned at Dubnica police station and one person charged with petty hooliganism. Although no serious casualties were reported, 15 people had to seek medical help. Two of the injured were elderly women.
