Bulgarian President refuses to pardon Shields

Bulgaria's president has refused to pardon a British man serving a 10-year prison sentence for attempted murder, officials said Thursday.
Michael Shields, 21, of Liverpool, England, was sentenced in 2006 after a court found him guilty of hitting Bulgarian bartender Martin Georgiev with a paving stone, leaving him with brain damage.

Shieldshad been visiting Bulgaria after watching Liverpool FC win the 2005 Champions League soccer cup final in neighboring Turkey.

In November 2006, he was transferred to Britain to serve the remainder of his 10-year sentence.

Shields insists he had no involvement in the incident at a Bulgarian coastal resort on the Black Sea. His family and Liverpool fans have launched a campaign for his release.

On Thursday, President Georgi Parvanov met with a British member of the European Parliament, Arlene McCarthy, who has backed the Shields family campaign.

«President Parvanov reiterated his firm position that he trusts the Bulgarian judiciary and will not advise (Bulgaria's) Vice President Angel Marin to exercise his powers to grant a pardon,» a statement from the president's office said.

http://www.pr-inside.com/bulgaria-denies-liverpool-fan-pardon-for-r380828.htm

Sad news but it is our Government who are keeping an innocent man locked up and it is they who should have released him a long time ago.

Just F***ing let him go. Bollocks to what them dicks think. I don't know anything about situations like these mind.

The relation between Bulgaria and England at the political level are far more important for them then Michael. It is no surprise to see a President backing his Vice-president, especially regarding a judiciary matter, especially in the East.

On the point of your government keeping Micheal in jail, yes indeed that is not clear why. They could at least have an other court hearing and release him. Like this everyone would be happy.

Unfortunately politicians are forgetting that they are here to defend and protect their own and not other country dictating what they should do, Michael is an other proof that economical contracts are far more important then people.        Shame on you politician!

YNWA Michael Shields

Just F***ing let him go. Bollocks to what them dicks think. I don't know anything about situations like these mind.

What about that Bulgarian victims family think?

What about that Bulgarian victims family think?

Sorry mate, but I don't really see what that has to do with Michael's situation. It was a terrible thing that happened to the victim, but it's perfectly clear that Michael didn't commit the offence, so what they think about his release shouldn't come into it.

The relation between Bulgaria and England at the political level are far more important for them then Michael. It is no surprise to see a President backing his Vice-president, especially regarding a judiciary matter, especially in the East.

On the point of your government keeping Micheal in jail, yes indeed that is not clear why. They could at least have an other court hearing and release him. Like this everyone would be happy.

Unfortunately politicians are forgetting that they are here to defend and protect their own and not other country dictating what they should do, Michael is an other proof that economical contracts are far more important then people.        Shame on you politician!

Very true Cy.

It's clear as day that our government don't want to rock the boat with the Bulgarians. But I think the corruptness goes both ways. Parvonov is obviously going to defend his judicial system, but his judicial system stinks the way Michael's trial was handled and the lack of evidence. He's basically played the ball into our governments court knowing that our government haven't got the balls to grant a pardon or look at new evidence.

Hopefully there will be positive news soon. Until then my thoughts are with Michael and his family.