Journalist Momchil Indzhov on Boevski: Brazil Just Expels Foreign Drug Traffickers

Novinite Insider » INTERVIEW | October 25, 2013, Friday // 13:05
Bulgaria: Journalist Momchil Indzhov on Boevski: Brazil Just Expels Foreign Drug Traffickers Journalist Momchil Indzhov. Photo by 24chasa.bg

Momchil Indzhov, a journalist from "24 Chassa" (24 Hours) daily, is an expert on Brazil.
Speaking in an interview for the Bulgarian public TV, BNT, the journalist explains that expelling foreigners convicted for drug trafficking, regardless of what part of the sentence has already been served, was part of a policy that has been practiced in Brazil in recent years. According to him, Boevski has not been pardoned, the sentence counts, i.e. remains on file, but is not to be served in other countries.

Here is an edited version of  the interview.

Are you aware of any new information about the release of Galabin Boevski, because so far Bulgarian authorities have not given clear information about it ?

I have been informed that at least two more Bulgarian citizens have been expelled,   to be precise – an order has been issued for their expulsion, actually the expulsion of Galabin Boevski is a result of a policy initiated two years ago in Brazil, according to which foreigners who have been convicted for drug trafficking are being expelled, regardless of what part of the sentence has already been served.

Foreigners are neither pardoned, nor amnestied, they are just expelled from Brazil with no need to serve their sentences in another country, but the fact that they have been convicted in Brazil remain in their files and they are banned from entering Brazil for about 10 years.

Yet, what are the possible motives behind the expulsion of Boevski ? Is there an agreement for it ?

I don't think there is an agreement, as I said, the expulsion is a result of the policy of Brazil to expel convicted foreigners, they have enough of their own criminals over there...

There are other Bulgarians convicted in Brazil, what about them ?

I have been informed on Thursday that two more Bulgarians have been expelled, and that means that there are more out there, but I don't have information on them...

Could it be that Boevski has shared a lot of information with the judicial authorities in Brazil on his case ?

If that is so, maybe Boevski would not talk so openly with journalists about it ?

He showed up only because we caught him off guard, otherwise he would have choose to wait more before showing up in public, but the important question is how Brazilian justice determines who is to be expelled, and who not to ? What is the motive for this decision ?

This is not something that is official, Brazilian authorities have decided to expel convicted foreigners and that's it – there is no decision by the Parliament, nor a decree by the President about it.

The interesting thing in the case of Boevski is that he is not yet convicted, he was sentenced by a federal court in Sao Paolo, and the sentence was confirmed by Court of Appeal, but as far as I know there is no scheduled date for a decision by the Supreme Court.

Is it possible that the decision for the expulsion of Boevski was made by the justice minister of Brazil and then confirmed by the court, which is a legal practice totally different from the one in Bulgaria ?

Each country has its own legislation, it should be noted that the decision for the deportation of Boevski was published by Brazilian justice minister in the Official Gazette of Brazil  on March 13 and there is nothing unusual about this deportation specifically, since the common practice in Brazil is the justice minister to publishes all deportation decisions.

How come such information has not reached Bulgaria and why Bulgarian institutions are so surprised ?

As for a reason why the institutions are surprised, I have heard various rumors, according to one,  the Bulgarian foreign minister at that time, Marin Raykov was not informed about it on March 13, but I can't say what would be the possible reason for the surprise of Bulgarian authorities, what I can say is that the lack of continuity is typical for Bulgaria and for example often the successor of a foreign minister does not continue with the activities of his predecessor, but my personal opinion is that the authorities were informed about the deportation of Boevski.

Do you know the exact date when the information about the deportation arrives in Bulgaria ?

The decision for deportation was published by the Brazilian authorities on March 13, while the Bulgarian Embassy in Brazil has been notified that Boevski would be deported
on April 5, according to information that I have received on Thursday by diplomatic sources from Brazil.

In a wider perspective, could the Brazilian policy to expel convicted foreigners, may have a soothing effect on Bulgarians who would dare to do drug trafficking, or any other criminal activity in Brazil ?

Interesting point of view, but I hope that this won't be the case.

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Tags: Brazil, Galabin Boevski, drug trafficking, Sao Paulo, Bulgaria, sentence, convicted, foreigners, Marin Raykov, Momchil Indzhov, extradition, expelled, expulsion

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