Bulgarian environmentalists are to stage yet another protest on Sunday over the launch of construction works in the coastal Irakli - Emine, a protected area, included in NATURA 2000 program. According to the environmentalists, the construction works must be ceased as the investor Swiss Properties has not submitted an official document that proves there are no rare animal and plant species, whose existence is threatened due to the building of the new resort complex in Irakli.

The Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Waters in the seaside city of Burgas announced it is going to impose a BGN 20,000 fine on the investor.

"Our company has not broken the law as we were issued a construction permit a month before NATURA 2000 restrictions came into force," Swiss Properties` Manager Stoyan Zahariev explained. He guaranteed the company is to submit the papers required as soon as possible.

Irakli, located in the northern part of Bulgaria`s Black Sea coast, is a protected area facing the threat of being wiped out by urbanization and expanding ventures. The desire to protect one of the few wild beaches in Bulgaria has gathered together hundreds of people from across the country in a grassroots movement, called "Let`s save Irakli!"

"New photos, shot at the end of January, show that despite Brussels` threat to freeze all structural funds in case of invasion into NATURA 2000 zones, the investor Swiss Properties has started huge construction works in the area," reads a statement, published on the site of the grassroots movement. "The start of construction works in Irakli violates not only the European legislation, but also a number of Bulgarian laws," the statement goes on.