In a detailed discussion with Ivelin Mihaylov on the “Free Voice” (Svoboden glas) YouTube channel, Milena and Hasan revealed how Mayor Bayram maintains his political power through pressure and a network of informants. The conversation began with a troubling video showing sewage from Varbitsa flowing into the Gerila River, a major tributary to Bulgaria's seventh-largest dam, Ticha. In response, the mayor denied the video's claims, labelled a local man, Diyan Yordanov, as the biggest polluter, and insisted the river's waters are clean, citing four institutions linked to the DPS-NN.

Milena, Diyan Yordanov's wife, shared her own experience with Mayor Bayram. She served temporarily as the director of the local school but faced pressure from the mayor to fire specific staff members and take certain actions. When Milena resisted,  she was ultimately forced on leave, during which she received a notice from the Regional Directorate of Education stating she was no longer the director. She accused the mayor of misusing municipal funds to invest solely in asphalt and gardens while neglecting broader societal needs.

Hasan Hasanov highlighted that the mayor has informants everywhere, punishing anyone who speaks against him or refuses to support his political agenda. He noted that the mayor obstructs investment in the municipality, claiming that the only recent investor has been Bayram himself. This approach, according to Hasan, keeps residents subdued, as he uses municipal resources for personal gain, favors the children of his appointees, denies social support to those who oppose him, and falsely promises the opening of a new hospital for which millions were allocated—most of which were reportedly used during election campaigning.

Milena and Hasan agree that the mayor's actions, after four terms in office, have driven many residents away. Some have relocated to larger cities like Varna and Shumen, while others have settled in a specific neighbourhood in Duisburg, Germany. They also pointed out the high unemployment rate in the municipality, with some of Bayram’s subordinates holding multiple well-paying positions.

Despite the challenges, the desire for change is stronger than ever. Ivelin Mihaylov asserted that "Free Voice" (Svoboden glas) will continue to increase its presence in the municipality, with efforts to free it from those deemed corrupt. One of the next initiatives is the establishment of a local media outlet.

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Photo: NSORB