Michael Shield's Father Reiterates Demands for Bulgaria Apology

Crime | September 14, 2009, Monday // 18:33
Michael Shield's Father Reiterates Demands for Bulgaria Apology: Michael Shield's Father Reiterates Demands for Bulgaria Apology A file picture shows Liverpool soccer team supporter Michael Shields speaking with journalists at Varna prison. It was announced on 09 September 2009 that Shields had been pardoned by British Justice Secretary Jack Straw. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Michael Shields is not going to sue Bulgaria but still insist on receiving an apology, Shields' father declared.

Shields Senior spoke in a special interview for Darik radio Monday.

On September 9, Michael Shields was pardoned by the UK Justice Secretary, Jack Straw, on the grounds of the confession made by another Liverpool fan who said he had committed the crime.

The 22-year-old was serving a 10-year sentence for the attempted murder of a Bulgarian barman after his team's win in the 2005 Champions League final.

When asked if his son owes apology to someone as well, the father reiterated that Michael was the only person in the ordeal deserving such apology either by the Bulgarian or by the British authorities, or by both because Great Britain's justice proved beyond doubt his innocence.

"We expect an apology because Michael's life was ruined. His life was ruined and his freedom taken away from him over your flawed legal system. We wish for Martin Georgiev to lead a normal life, but we also wish a normal life for Micheal," the father said.

In the summer of 2005, the victim, Martin Georgiev, had a rock dropped on his head in Varna, Bulgaria, where Shields, like a number of Liverpool fans, had broken up the journey home from Istanbul.

Shields, then 18, was found guilty of attempted murder and sentenced to 15 years in prison, which was reduced to 10 years on appeal.

He had been serving the remainder of his sentence in Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institute in Appleton Thorn, Warrington.

 

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!

Crime » Be a reporter: Write and send your article
Tags: Liverpool Echo, Michael shields, Shields, Liverpool, Martin Georgiev

Advertisement
Advertisement
Bulgaria news Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency - www.sofianewsagency.com) is unique with being a real time news provider in English that informs its readers about the latest Bulgarian news. The editorial staff also publishes a daily online newspaper "Sofia Morning News." Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency - www.sofianewsagency.com) and Sofia Morning News publish the latest economic, political and cultural news that take place in Bulgaria. Foreign media analysis on Bulgaria and World News in Brief are also part of the web site and the online newspaper. News Bulgaria