Jock Palfreeman’s appeal against his 20 year sentence in Bulgaria has reportedly failed, as the Bulgarian state continues to ignore the facts (background – see previous articles).
This report come from FreeJock.com, a family based support website, dated 22 February:
“The appelate court has upheld the first court’s decision and maintained the 20 year sentence. This despite all the evidence supporting Jock’s story. The family finds this appalling and will file for a further appeal with the court of Cassation. When we have the written judgment from the appelate court we will be able to make a more detailed response to this decision.”
A similar report is posted on Anarchist Solidarity dated 23 February, and includes a defiant statement from Jock:
Jock finally received court verdict on his appeal. In blatant disregard for all the facts presented to them during the process, Bulgarian authorities upheld Jock’s ridiculous sentence, complete ingoring all evidence in his defence. There are no words to describe our contempt and disgust we feel towards all those people responsible for his imprisonment. Jock can appeal the decision within 14 days and the last appeal will take place within next few months. We have to put more pressure on Bulgarian authorities if we don’t want them to get away with what they are doing at the moment.
Here is Jock’s comment on the sentencing:
“To say I’m dissapointed would be an understatement. But I am not dissapointed in the Monov family’s demands for unjustified punishment. I am dissapointed in the judges and legal structure that seems to have the moral backbones of jellyfish. When I saw the 15 men attack the two homeless men, I was presented with a choice. Stand back and let the injustice continue or intervene in an attempt to save human life. The Sofia city court and the Sofia court of appeal were all presented with a much easier choice than that. Their choice was not one that could result in their own deaths as mine was. Yet still they chose to take the easy way. They chose to bow to the political pressure from the Bulgarian Socialist Party and it’s beaurocrats which float around the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Justice like bad smell. Although this latest decision keeps me with a 20 year prison sentence, it is useful as evidence to show the depth and width of corruption in the Bulgarian courts and justice system. As disheartening as this blatantly corrupt decision is, we all must take encouragement from the 10 neautral witnesses who did have the moral backbone to come forward and tell the truth. Also from the 5 police who too eventually told the truth despite overwhelming pressures from their superiours. To all those who fight against racism, nationalism, corruption and injustice- I tell you not to loose focus or direction. Do not loose hope. Those who wish to hide the shame that the 15 skinheads brought on Bulgaria have only been successful in increasing it and legalizing it. Ironically Andrei Monov was not ashamed of his nationalism and I doubt he would have lied about actions he and his family are clearly proud of. “Bulgaria for Bulgarians” was what Dr Monov said he and his son believed in. “Defending the underdog” is what I believe in, be it Bulgaria or Bangladesh. The supreme court of appeal will not remedy the injustice. The head judge of the supreme court of appeal was even present at Andrei Monovs funeral. My prison sentence although outrageous, will be served easier now that the evidence is overwhelmingly in concurance with my statements and that I know I was correct in opposing racism in it’s most disgusting form, violence. My gratitude to my family, friends and comrades who have not supported me as an individual but supported me based on the evidence in my case and the reason for my involvement with the 15 skinheads.”
Jock needs solidarity now!