You're reading: Kyiv sends note to Sofia due to actions of entertainer in Bulgarian camp towards Ukrainian children

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry is outraged and strongly condemns discrimination and Ukrainophobic actions by Igor Abesinov, head of entertainers in "Mistral" summer camp on the Black Sea coast in Bulgaria, towards children from Ukraine.

According to the ministry, Ukrainian diplomats took into the account the statements by relatives of Ukrainian children and witnesses saying that Abesinov had forbidden wearing and showing Ukrainian national symbols in the camp.

According to Foreign Ministry, there was “emotional abuse towards Ukrainian children through demonstrative display of disrespect for Ukrainian national symbols.”

According to Kyiv, these facts can show that Abesinov committed an offence of discrimination based on nationality, violated human rights and freedoms, caused escalation of xenophobic moods and inter-ethnic intolerance.

“Such conduct is unacceptable for a democratic society and European state, where this citizen is employed. It can’t be left without a proper reaction from Ukrainian party,” reads the ministry’s statement.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry sent a note to Bulgarian Foreign Ministry with the request to legally assess actions of Abesinov, conduct an investigation into the incident and take measures to prevent similar cases in future.

The Ukrainian consul in Bulgaria went to the place of the incident to provide necessary consular and legal protection, meet with the Ukrainian children and establish all the circumstances of the incident.

The case is of special importance for Foreign Ministry and Ukrainian embassy in Bulgaria.