Contrary to the requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, and Directive 2016/343 on the presumption of innocence, Bulgaria’s Prosecutor’s Office consistently applies a presumption of guilt!

Spectacular televised arrests, violence against suspects, destruction of proof, and simulation of trials are common in the country.

48% of the cases, which Bulgaria has lost before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, concern the lack of fair trial, including violations of the presumption of innocence.

Not only the country is an unfortunate leader in losing cases before this court, but it is also a “champion” in not enforcing them.

Bulgaria’s Prosecutor’s Office has not been reformed since communism. It has a Stalinist, vertical structure where all decisions depend on one person – the General Prosecutor. However, he is not accountable to any authority for his actions and omissions.

My latest vlog post:

 

You can read my blog post “Spectacular Televised Arrests, Media Trials, and Abuse of Process: The Presumption of Guilt in Bulgaria” here.

If concerned about the deplorable state of Bulgaria’s justice system, consider reading:

• The Rise of Modern European Dictatorships and EU’s Dual Standards on Human Rights
• Hell Is Closer than the EU Thinks: On Torture and Other Human Rights Abuses in Bulgarian Custodial and Detention Facilities
• On How Bulgaria’s Corrupt Authorities Abuse Interpol’s Red Notice for Violent Political Vendettas
• Criminal Corporate Raiding in Bulgaria

 

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