COURT ORDERED HOME ARREST FOR PETAR NIZAMOV WHO WAS ACCUSED OF ILLEGALLY DETAINING MIGRANTS

On 15th of April, the District Court in the South-Eastern Bulgarian town of Malko Turnovo ordered Petar Nizamov into home arrest, pending trial.

Nizamov was arrested after he published an amateur video clip with “citizen’s arrests” showing him detaining three Afghan migrants after they crossed the border into Bulgaria. The video showed three men lying on the ground with their hands tied up behind their backs with plastic bands.

In court Nizamov pleaded not guilty.

The motives of the magistrates to order home arrest were that there was no risk of absconding because Nizamov had a permanent residence address. According to the court, however, there is a reasonable assumption that he could perpetrate an offence again.

Upon exiting the court, he was welcomed by a group of supporters shouting slogans.

Nizamov said he would appeal the decision of the court.

The prosecution considers that Nizamov did not act alone. According to the testimonies of the Afghan migrants, his group consisted of 10 people, who are being sought.

Nizamov was arrested on 12th of April. He faces three charges for unlawful deprivation of liberty of three Afghan migrants.

The amateur video clip showing the so called “citizen’s arrests” sparked an outcry in the social media networks, received extensive coverage in domestic and foreign media and the firm disapproval by the Bulgarian authorities.

If Nizamov and the members of his group are found guilty they may face up to six years of imprisonment.