The nineties were a time of civil unrest in Bulgaria. In 1989 Todor Zhivkov was removed from power after 35 years at the helm of the Communist Party. And in February 1990 the Communist Party, forced by street protests gave up its power of government. Like most other post-socialist regimes in eastern Europe, Bulgaria found the transition to capitalism rather painful. Massive unemployment ensued and crime rates soared. With no help from the police or their government, Bulgarian civilians took measures into their own hands to defend themselves and their property.