Anti-corruption protests that have been peacefully going on for 40 days reached a climax in Bulgaria when demonstrators trapped a hundred ministers, lawmakers and journalists inside the parliament for over eight hours, urging the government to resign.

Nearly 10 people had to be taken to hospital to be treated for injuries, including two police officers, after 2,000 people took to the streets of the capital of Sofia.

Police armed with shields and batons had to rescue 100 lawmakers who had been trapped inside the besieged building for more than eight hours.

Officers tried to escort the politicians out by bus but anti-corruption protesters, shouting  “mafia” and “resign”, hurled plastic bottles at the bus.

Thousands of Bulgarians have taken to the streets of the capital every day for 40 days since the government announced the appointment of a powerful media magnate as security chief.

The protesters see the move as an increasing example of private interests controlling state institutions.

The government’s withdrawal of the appointment last month failed to quell public discontent in the EU’s poorest country and protesters are now calling for the cabinet’s resignation.

Interior minister Tsvetlin Yovchev: “Police reacted very adequately, policemen did their job perfectly although protesters behaved extremely aggressively.

“We will try to find those who threw stones at police and deputies.”

Authorities say seven protesters had to be treated for head injuries and two police officers were also hurt.

The president, Rosen Plevneliev, has appealed to protesters and police to keep the demonstrations peaceful.

In a statement he said: “I appeal to the protesters to keep the protest the way it was and the way it impressed all Europe – peaceful, civilised and aimed at achieving the values of a democratic society.”

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