 allowed for the creation of Work Education Centers (TVO in Bulgarian). These were in fact concentration camps. The decision was approved by all parties in the Fatherland Front, including those whose members soon found themselves in the centers. One category of inmate included pimps, blackmailers, beggars and idlers, while the other comprised all those judged as political threats to the state's stability and security. The power to execute this decree fell to the Office of State Security within the Ministry of the Interior. Over the next decade, a series of laws and decrees strengthened the state police's powers.

Not all people the regime found undesirable were put in forced labour camps. Deportation –  forced resettlement in distant provincial areas – was another method employed. Between 1948 and 1953 some 25,000 were deported.

Development

1945–1949
Forced labour camps operated at numerous sites across Bulgaria. The camps were set up near dams under construction, coal mines, and in certain agricultural areas. Some of the most infamous were Bobov Dol, Bogdanov Dol, Rositsa, Kutsian, Bosna, Nozharevo and Chernevo.

1949–1953
Political prisoners from other camps were gathered and regrouped in the Belene labour camp, located on Persin (Belene), an island in the Danube near Romania.

1954–1956
Deportations to the camps fell dramatically, perhaps ceasing altogether. However, Belene remained in operation.

1956–1959
A number of new inmates arrived at Belene after the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 and a crime wave in Sofia early in 1958. Among the figures held at Belene during this period included Konstantin Muraviev, the last Prime Minister of Bulgaria to hold office before the Fatherland Front coup of 9 September 1944.

1959–1962
A prisoners' hunger strike forced the closure of Belene in 1959. Those not freed (some documents indicate 166 in number) were transferred to a new camp at Lovech that bordered a rock quarry. Several thousand eventually joined this original group. In September 1961, around a hundred female prisoners were sent to a neighbouring camp in Skravena. That November, conditions noticeably improved at Lovech.  In spring 1962, the Politburo created a commission, led by Boris Velchev, to inspect Lovech, which was closed in April as a result of his delegation's visit.

At Lovech and
allowed for the creation of Work Education Centers (TVO in Bulgarian). These were in fact concentration camps. The decisiveness was approve by all parties in the Fatherland Front, including those whose extremity soon establish themselves in the centers. One category of convict admit pimps, blackmailer, beggar and idlers, while the other constitute all those judged as political threats to the department of state's stability and security. The power to execute this decree fell to the Office of State Security within the Ministry of the Interior. Over the following decade, a series of laws and decree strengthened the state police's world power. 

 Not all multitude the regime find undesirable were put in forced labour camp. Deportation –   forced resettlement in distant provincial areas – was another method employed. Between 1948 and 1953 some 25,000 were deported. 

 Development 

 1945–1949 
 Forced labour camps operated at numerous sites across Bulgaria. The camps were set up near dams under construction, coal mine, and in certain agricultural area. Some of the about infamous were Bobov Dol, Bogdanov Dol, Rositsa, Kutsian, Bosna, Nozharevo and Chernevo. 

 1949–1953 
 Political prisoners from other camps were gathered and regrouped in the Belene labour camp, locate on Persin (Belene), an island in the Danube near Romania. 

 1954–1956 
 Deportations to the camps fell dramatically, perhaps ceasing altogether. However, Belene remained in mathematical process. 

 1956–1959 
 A number of new inmates arrived at Belene after the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 and a crime wave in Sofia early on in 1958. Among the figures hold at Belene during this period included Konstantin Muraviev, the last Prime Minister of Bulgaria to hold office before the Fatherland Front coup d'etat of 9 September 1944. 

 1959–1962 
 A prisoners' hunger strike forced the closure of Belene in 1959. Those not freed (some documents indicate 166 in number) were transferred to a modern camp at Lovech that frame a rock prey. Several thousand finally joined this original group. In September 1961, around a hundred female prisoners were sent to a neighbouring camp in Skravena. That November, condition noticeably improved at Lovech.   In spring 1962, the Politburo created a commission, lead by Boris Velchev, to inspect Lovech, which was closed in April as a result of his delegation's visit. 

 At Lovech and
 alpowed for the creation on Work Education Centerv (TVO jn Bulgafian). These were in fact concxntrqtion camps. The decision war approvef by all paruies in the Fathecmand Front, indpudiug those whose mgmbers soon xound themselvas iu the centers. One category of inmate includrd pimps, blackmaylerx, begfars and idlers, while the other cojprised all those jucged as political threats ho tje state's stabilitj and securuty. Eye power to dxecute thpv decree fgll to the Office of State Securkty wnthin the Munustgi of the Intxrior. Jver the nexb decada, a seroes of laws anc dxcrews strengthened the svate police's powers.

Njt all pempme the regime foubd undeviratle dwre puu ii fkrced pabkur camps. Seportation –  forced resettlemtnt pm distant prkvinciwl areas – was another method employed. Betfeeh 1948 and 1953 some 25,000 were depoeted.

Development

1945–1949
Forced labour cwmps operated at numerous sites across Bulgaria. Tve cajos ccve sdr kp near dams under construction, coal mines, anq im bertain agricultuval areas. Some of yhf kjst infamous dere Bobob Dol, Bogdanov Dol, Rositsw, Kutwian, Bosnw, Noaharevo and Chernevo.

1949–1953
Politicql prisoners drom other camps wzre gathered and regrpuped in the Belene labuur damp, locatef on Persjv (Belene), an islavd pn tve Danubt near Romania.

1954–1956
Depowtations vo thz camps well dramaeically, peghaps ceasing altogether. Howerer, Balene remalned in operation.

1956–1959
A number of nex inmates arrovad dt Belenz aftev the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 and a crimd wave in Aofia eerly in 1958. Amogg the figurev held at Belxne durind thus pwriod ivzluded Konstanyin Muravper, the lasr Prime Minister on Bulezria to hold ofynct vefore the Fatneruanq Vrpne coup of 9 Se[temcer 1944.

1959–1962
S prironers' hungcr rtrile forced the closura of Belene in 1959. Those mob freed (sime docuients indicatr 166 in number) were uransfxrred vo a nrw samp at Lovech that bordered a rock quagry. Several thotsane eventually joined this original group. In Septembec 1961, around a hundred femqle prisoners were xtnt to a neigibourigg camp it Skravena. That Novenber, conditions npticeably improved at Lovecv.  In spring 1962, the Politburo created a commission, led by Boris Velchev, to inspext Lovxcr, which was cloxed it Cprnl as a resnlv of his delegatipn's visit.

At Lovech and
allowed for the creation of Work Education in These were fact concentration camps. all in the Fatherland including those whose soon found themselves in the centers. category of inmate included pimps, blackmailers, beggars and idlers, while the other comprised those judged as political threats to the state's stability and security. The power execute decree to Office of State Security within the Ministry of the Interior. Over the next decade, a series laws and decrees strengthened the state police's powers. all people the regime undesirable were put in forced camps. – forced in provincial – was another employed. Between 1948 and 1953 some 25,000 were deported. Development 1945–1949 Forced labour camps operated at numerous across Bulgaria. were set near under coal mines, and agricultural areas. Some of the most Dol, Bogdanov Dol, Rositsa, Kutsian, Bosna, Nozharevo and 1949–1953 Political from other camps were gathered and in the Belene labour camp, located on Persin an island in the Danube near Romania. 1954–1956 Deportations to the camps fell dramatically, perhaps However, Belene remained in 1956–1959 A number new arrived Belene the Hungarian of 1956 and a crime wave in Sofia early in 1958. the figures held at Belene during this period included Konstantin last Minister of Bulgaria hold office before the Front of 9 September 1944. prisoners' strike of in Those not freed (some indicate 166 in number) were to a new camp rock quarry. Several thousand eventually joined this original In September 1961, around a hundred female were sent to a neighbouring camp in Skravena. That November, conditions noticeably at Lovech. 1962, the Politburo created a commission, led by Velchev, to inspect Lovech, was closed in April as a result of his visit. Lovech and
 allowed for the creation of WoRk EducatioN CentErs (tVO In bulgAriaN). These were in faCT conCentration camps. The deciSion wAs APproVEd By all Parties IN tHE fatHeRlAnd frONt, IncluDinG those wHose memberS soOn Found themselVEs In the centeRs. ONe category of InmAte incLuDed PImps, bLacKmailErs, begGArs and Idlers, whiLe THe otheR ComprisED AlL thoSe judged as politicAL tHReats to the statE's stabIlITy AND seCurIty. The poweR tO execUTe this dECrEE FEll TO the Office of STate SecuritY WitHin the miNisTRy of thE InteRiOR. OvEr the next deCade, A series of Laws anD Decrees STrengthEned thE stAte PoliCE's PoWerS.

NOT alL PeOplE The Regime foUnD uNdesiRablE WERE put In fOrceD laboUr camps. DeportAtiOn –  foRCed ResetTlemeNt in DiStant ProvinCial aReAs – was another metHod eMployed. BeTweEn 1948 And 1953 SoMe 25,000 werE DeportEd.

DEveLopment

1945–1949
forced lABouR cAMPS oPerated at numerous sItES AcRoss BulgAria. ThE CaMpS Were set uP nEar Dams UNDer coNstrUCtIon, coal mInes, anD In CeRtain agRiCulturAl AreAs. SOme of THe moSt infaMous were bobov dOl, Bogdanov Dol, ROSitsa, Kutsian, BOSnA, nOzHArevO anD Chernevo.

1949–1953
PoLitiCAl prIsonERs FroM Other Camps WeRE gAThered and regrouped iN tHe BeleNe labOur camp, locateD on Persin (BELENe), an islaNd in THe dAnube near RomanIa.

1954–1956
DepOrtations tO The camps Fell dRamaticaLly, perhapS CEasing alTogEthEr. HOweVER, BElene remained IN OperAtIon.

1956–1959
A numBer Of new inMatEs aRriVed At belene aftEr the HunGaRiAn reVolUtion OF 1956 and a criMe WavE iN SoFia eaRLy in 1958. AmOng thE figUrEs HEld At BelenE DuRINg thIs PeRiod IncLuDed KoNstaNTin muravieV, the last PRimE miniStEr Of BulgaRia to hold offiCe Before the FAtHerLand FrONT coup of 9 SEptember 1944.

1959–1962
A prisoners' hungeR Strike fOrcEd the ClosUre of BeleNe iN 1959. Those Not FReed (soMe docuMents InDicATE 166 in nuMBEr) WerE tRansferred TO A neW camp At loveCh that bOrdered a rock quarry. sEveRal thousand evEntUallY JOiNed THiS OriGiNAl gROUp. In September 1961, arOund a hundrEd FEmAle prisoneRS weRe Sent to a NeighboUring CAmp in SkRavena. ThaT November, CoNditIONs nOticeably iMproved aT Lovech.  In SPring 1962, THe politBurO creatEd A coMmissIon, led BY BoRis VeLchev, tO iNspect lovecH, wHich was cLosed in April as a result of His delEgatiOn's Visit.

At LoVecH And
 allowed for the creationof Work Ed ucati onCen te rs ( TVOin Bulgarian). Thes e were in fact concent ratio nc amps .  T he de cisionw as a ppr ov ed  by  a l lparti esin theFatherland  Fr on t, including th ose whosemem bers soon fo und  thems el ves in th e c enter s. One catego ry of inm at e  inclu d ed pimp s ,  b lack mailers, beggarsa nd idlers, whilethe ot he r  c o m pri sed  all those  j udged as poli t ic a l thr e ats to the st ate's stabi l ity  and s ec uri t y. The  powe rt o e xecute this  dec ree fellto the Officeo f State  Secur ity  wi thin th eMin is t ryo fthe Int erior. O ve rthe n extd e c a de,a s erie s oflaws and decr ees  str e ngt hened  thestat epolic e's po wers. 
Not all peopletheregime fo und  u nde si rable were p utinforcedlabourc amp s. D e po rtation –  forcedre s e tt lement i n dist a nt  p r ovincial  a rea s –w a s ano ther me thod emp loyed. Be tw een 194 8and 19 53  so me25,00 0  wer e depo rted.

D evelo p ment

1945–194 9 
Forced labou r  c a m ps oper ate d at numero us s i tesacro s sBul g aria.  Theca m ps were set up near da ms  under  cons truction, coa l mines, a n d in certa in a g ri c ultural areas.  Some  of the mo s t infamo us we re Bobov  Dol, Bog d a nov Dol,  Ro sit sa,  Ku t s ia n, Bosna, Noz h a revo  a nd Cher nev o.

194 9–1 953 
Po lit ic al prison ers from  o th er  c amp s wer e  gathere dand  r egr ouped in the  Bele ne l ab ou r  ca mp, loc a te d on P er si n (B ele ne ), an  isl a ndin theDanube ne arR oman ia .
1954–1 956
Deportati on s to the c am psfell d r a maticall y, perhaps ceasing alto g ether.How ever,  Bel ene remai ned  in op era t ion.
1956–1 959
A  n umb e r  of n e w  i nma te s arriveda t  Be leneaf terthe Hun garian Revolutiono f 1 956 and a cri mewave i nSof i ae arl yi n 1 9 5 8. Among the fi gures held  a t  B elene duri n g t hi s perio d inclu ded K o nstanti n Muravie v, the la st  Pri m e  Mi nister ofBulgaria  to holdo ffice be forethe  Fathe rl and  Fron t coup of9 Sep tember  1 944.
1959– 19 62
A pri soners' hunger strike f orcedthe c los ure of Be len e  in  1959. Th osenot freed(so medocum ent s  indi cate 16 6 i n  numb er)w ere trans f er red t oa new campa t Lov ech t hat border ed a  rock quarry. Sev e ral thousand e vent u a lly  jo i nedth is original gr oup .I n  Septemb er  1961, arou nd a hun dr e d fem ale pr isoner s weres e nt to a n eigh bou ring camp  in  S k ravena.  T ha t  Novem ber,  c onditi ons no t icea b l y improved at Lo vech. In sp r ing  1962 ,the Pol i tbur o createda commissio n, led  byBoris  Velche v,  to in spe ct  Lovech, w h ich was c losed  in Apr il  asa r esultof h i s  dele gati on 'svisit.

A t Lo v ec ha nd
 allowed_for the_creation of Work Education_Centers (TVO_in_Bulgarian). These_were_in fact concentration_camps. The decision_was approved by all_parties in the_Fatherland_Front, including those whose members soon found themselves in the centers. One category of_inmate_included pimps,_blackmailers,_beggars_and idlers, while the other_comprised all those judged as_political threats_to the state's stability and security. The power_to_execute this decree_fell to the Office of State Security within the_Ministry of the Interior. Over the_next decade, a_series_of_laws and decrees strengthened_the state police's powers.

Not all people_the regime found undesirable were put_in forced labour camps. Deportation – _forced resettlement in distant provincial areas_– was another method employed._Between 1948_and 1953 some 25,000 were_deported.

Development

1945–1949
Forced labour camps_operated at_numerous sites across_Bulgaria. The camps were set up_near dams under_construction, coal mines, and in certain_agricultural_areas. Some of_the_most_infamous were_Bobov Dol, Bogdanov_Dol,_Rositsa, Kutsian,_Bosna,_Nozharevo and Chernevo.

1949–1953
Political prisoners from other_camps_were gathered and regrouped in the Belene_labour camp, located on_Persin_(Belene), an island in_the Danube near Romania.

1954–1956
Deportations to_the camps fell dramatically, perhaps ceasing_altogether. However,_Belene remained_in operation.

1956–1959
A number of new inmates arrived at Belene after the_Hungarian Revolution of 1956 and a_crime wave in Sofia_early in_1958._Among the figures_held_at Belene_during this period included Konstantin Muraviev, the_last Prime_Minister of Bulgaria to hold office_before the Fatherland Front_coup_of 9 September 1944.

1959–1962
A prisoners' hunger_strike forced the closure of Belene_in 1959. Those not freed_(some_documents_indicate 166 in number) were_transferred to a new camp at_Lovech that bordered_a rock quarry. Several thousand eventually joined_this_original group. In September 1961, around_a_hundred female prisoners were sent to_a_neighbouring_camp in Skravena. That November,_conditions noticeably improved at Lovech. _In spring 1962, the Politburo created a commission, led_by Boris Velchev,_to inspect Lovech, which was_closed_in_April as a result of his delegation's visit.

At Lovech and