site.btaProsecution Launches Investigation into Unlawful Migrant Arrests by Vigilantes

Prosecution Launches Investigation into Unlawful Migrant Arrests by Vigilantes

Sofia, April 12 (BTA) - The prosecution authorities in Malko Turnovo, Southeastern Bulgaria, have opened pretrial proceedings into the unlawful arrest of three Afghan men by vigilantes near a village some 30 km away from the Turkish-Bulgarian border.

The offence carries up to six years' imprisonment.

The three Afghans have been interviewed and the men who arrested them are to be identified.

A video of the arrest was published on social media on Sunday and according to an accompanying text the men were detained by the Civil Squads for Protection of Women and Faith. In the video the three refugees are lying on the ground with hands tied on their backs. Off screen in a mixture of Bulgarian and broken English male voices order the migrants to return to Turkey. According to media reports, the volunteers were headed by a man with a criminal record from Bourgas.

Meanwhile, the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee alerted on Monday Prosecutor General Sotir Tsatsarov about a statement by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov in which he praises the work of vigilante groups. Borissov said: "I called these boys and we talked. Every thing that helps the police, the border police and the state is welcome. [Е] I thanked them and I sent the chief of border police to meet them so that they can coordinate the signals. [Е]Everyone who helps deserves a 'thank you'."

Later on Monday in a Facebook posting Borissov said that his statement had been misinterpreted. "My deep conviction is that citizens should be vigilant, submit alerts and not be indifferent to violations of the law but they should not overstep their rights. Lawless and inhuman actions won't be tolerated and will be persecuted," wrote Borissov.

Border police chief Antonio Angelov called on bTV the actions of the vigilante groups 'unlawful'. "In Bulgaria only law enforcers are authorized to carry out arrest on an order by the prosecution or the court," said Angelov.

A debate about arrests carried out by citizens began when in late February bTV broadcast a coverage about Dinko Vulev from Yambol who says that since August 2015 he has apprehended a total of 25 migrants.