Bulgarian law considers a situation where an offense is less serious than a crime to be an administrative offence. In certain situations, administrative liability can be applied in cases of hate speech.
Complaint before the Protection from Discrimination Commission
If you think you have become a target of hate speech, you can file a complaint with the Protection from Discrimination Commission. The two parties are summoned to a hearing before the committee, which resembles the court. The Commission may find a violation of the law and impose a fine, but the compensation affected may be sought by the District Court on the basis of the Commission's decision if it has established an offence.
Read more about hate crimes and the differences between hate crimes and hate speech.
Read more about the right to a fair trial in administrative offences proceedings.
Request for compensation during trial
You can request compensation from the perpetrator of the administrative offence by lodging a civil claim, as set out in the Civil Procedure Code.
Read more about civil claims and civil liability.