A court in the Bulgarian border town of Malko Tarnovo has refused to grant a request submitted by Petar 'Perata' Nizamov, a man whose video showing "citizen's arrests" of Afghan migrants who had crossed into the country sparked controversy home and abroad.

Nizamov had demanded to be released from house arrest where he is waiting for his trial on charges of the illegal detention of migrants.

The District Court of Burgas is due to hold a sitting on June 10. Nizamov claims he is defending Bulgaria from an illegal invasion and argues every citizen has the right to do so by detaining "criminals" under Bulgarian law.

In April, the incident prompted public outcry, with international media and human rights organizations describing it as an infringement on human rights. Civic patrols along the borders of Bulgaria with Turkey and Greece initially enjoyed moderate support from the government, but the latter backtracked after the international reaction.