2,000 torch-wielding nationalists march through Sofia to honor pro-Nazi general

SOFIA, Bulgaria — Thousands of far-right activists held a torch-lit march through Bulgarian capital Sofia Saturday to honor a World War II general known for his anti-Semitic and pro-Nazi activities.

The annual Lukov March, staged by the far-right Bulgarian National Union, attracted some 2,000 dark-clad supporters who walked through downtown Sofia holding torches and Bulgarian flags and chanting nationalist slogans. A number of far-right activists from other countries also took part in the march.

It came despite strong condemnation by human rights groups, political parties and foreign embassies. The city mayor had banned the rally but organizers won a court order overturning the ban.

A heavy police presence blocked any clashes between nationalists and their opponents, who held a rally earlier in the night calling for Nazis to be banned.

A child holds a banner that reads “Nazis are dumb everywhere” during a protest against the “Lukov March,” before it was staged by the far-right Bulgarian National Union, in Sofia, Bulgaria, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019. (AP/Vadim Ghirda)

Ahead of the march, the World Jewish Congress warned about the rise of far-right activities across Europe aimed at promoting anti-Semitism, hatred, xenophobia and Nazi glorification among young people.

“We urge governments across Europe to prioritize the introduction of administrative bans against such marches. This is not just a problem of the Jewish communities, but of European citizens and governments at large,” the organization’s CEO Robert Singer said.

The Nordic Resistance Movement, Germany’s NPD party, and other neo-nazi groups have joined today's antisemitic march in Bulgaria honoring former Nazi collaborator General Lukov. pic.twitter.com/6jkiPR6BvH

— WJC (@WorldJewishCong) February 16, 2019

Many of the marchers wore swastikas and made Nazi salutes as they laid wreaths at the former home of pro-Nazi Gen. Hristo Lukov, according to Reuters.

Lukov had supported Germany during World War II and was killed by an anti-fascist resistance movement on February 13, 1943. The general served as Bulgaria’s war minister from 1935 to 1938, and led the pro-Nazi Germany Union of Bulgarian Legions from 1932 until 1943.

A man holds a flare as people take part in the “Lukov March,” staged by the far-right Bulgarian National Union, in Sofia, Bulgaria, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019. (AP/Vadim Ghirda)

Organizers deny that Lukov was an anti-Semitic fascist or that they are neo-fascists, but claim that the descendants of the murderers of Lukov are afraid of the event.

Members of nationalist organizations march during a parade to commemorate Bulgarian General and politician Hristo Lukov, in the centre of Sofia on February 16, 2019. (Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP)

Zvezdomir Andronov, leader of the Bulgarian National Union, says the group’s main objective is “the salvation of the Bulgarian people” from the social and economic crisis the country has been facing for many decades.

Nationalists from other European countries voiced anti-globalist and anti-EU slogans at the march and called on their peers from across the continent to join forces.

“We want to get in contact with other nationalists in Europe, as we strongly believe that free, independent countries are very important. We want to regain the power from the globalists — the people who are running the EU, the people who are devastating Europe,” said Per Sjogren of Sweden’s Neo-Nazi Nordic Resistance Movement.