Send to Kindle
File photo, BGNES
Authorities' move to send seven Turkish nationals back to their homeland has been questioned by allegations that at least one of them demanded a trial in Bulgaria or was promised to face a court in the same country.
A witness, who is the son of one of the men deported to Turkey, has told private bTV station that his father had sent a message on Friday evening that he was in Bulgaria and would appear before court there.
The man called again a few days later, on Tuesday, to inform he was in Istanbul and was to be put on trial there, but has not been heard since then, the witness has claimed.
According to Turkish daily H?rriyet, the men were suspected of ties to US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah G?len and his movement, which authorities in Ankara refer to as a terrorist organization, dubbing it "FET?" and blaming it for the failed coup attempt of July 15.
One of the Turkish nationals sent back to Bulgaria is also said to be a journalist with Zaman, a daily newspaper linked to G?len that was taken over by authorities.
Mehmed ?mer, who was the Editor-in-Chief of Zaman Bulgaria, also maintains their rights were infinged by Bulgarian authorities during their 24-hour detention.
Border police authorities maintain none of the detainees asked for asylum or to contact a lawyer.
Bulgaria's national ombudsman, Maya Manolova, however warned that the deportation procedure had been carried out in breach of the legislation as she had not been informed in advance.
Human rights activists for their part insist the procedure might have been flawed by a lack of translator and contacts with the ombudsman or rights organizations.
Reports emerged recently that two other Turkish nationals might also have been handed over to Turkey.
In August, a decision of Bulgarian authorities to expel businessman Abdullah B?y?k despite turning down Turkey's extradition request filed for the man it describes as a "G?lenist" also sparked controversy.
We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!
Bulgaria's long-anticipated entry into the Eurozone may face a delay, as the country is unlikely to meet the inflation criterion required for the introduction of the euro on January 1, 2025
In a bid to support its agricultural sector amidst the ongoing tensions stemming from Russia's war against Ukraine, Bulgaria announces a significant aid package for farmers
In a recent interview with BTA, Associate Professor Angel Kunchev, the chief state health inspector, addressed the potential declaration of an epidemic of whooping cough and outlined the measures that would be taken in response
Barbara Leaf, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Middle East Affairs, criticized the Yemeni Houthis for their inhumane actions in capturing merchant ships, including the "Galaxy Leader"
FlixBus, the renowned European bus company, is set to launch new routes to and from Bulgaria in anticipation of the summer season
As Bulgaria grapples with a surge in whooping cough cases, Public Health experts offer insights into the situation, assuring the public about the severity of symptoms and emphasizing the importance of vaccination
I feel no moral guilt towards anyone. This was stated by Kiril Petkov, answering a question whether he would apologize to the Bulgarian people for violating the Constitution.
Head of the Military Medical Academy (MMA) Major General Prof.
The Ministry of Finance has revised its autumn forecast for economic development.
Bulgarian police arrested a Russian citizen and two Lithuanians on suspicion of exporting “sensitive information” from the Arsenal military plant in Kazanlak.
The government has changed its order requiring state-owned companies to pay a dividend to the budget.
UN Happiness Report: Bulgaria's Astonishing Leap in Rankings
Bulgaria: 3 Regions With Lowest Life Expectancy - EU Report 2022
