Iran Postpones Bulgarian Driver Drug Trafficking Trial

Zhivko Rusev, a Bulgarian truck driver, was arrested in Iran in September 2008 in the Northern Iranian city of Tabriz in an anti-drug operation. File Photo

The Court in the Iranian city of Tabriz postponed late Monday the trial of Bulgarian driver Zhivko Rusev.

The magistrates retuned Rusev's case back to the Prosecutor for further investigation.

In September 2008, the 55-year-old Rusev, from the southern Bulgarian town of Galabovo, was arrested in the Northern Iranian city of Tabriz in an anti-drug operation. The authorities discovered 135 kg of heroin in his truck.

If proven guilty, Rusev is facing the dead penalty because according to Iranian law the punishment for illegal drug trafficking is death by hanging.

The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Dragovest Goranov, commented on the postponement and stated it was a good sign for Rusev because it showed the Iranian authorities did not have enough proof of his guilt.

Goranov further informed Rusev was feeling physiologically and physically well. The Bulgarian Consul, who is in Tabriz for the trial, visited him in jail Monday. Rusev also sent a letter to his family in Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian Embassy in Tehran has hired local lawyer Moghaddam Far to defend Rusev. The Foreign Ministry spokesperson said earlier he has been recommended to Bulgaria by employees of the Turkish Embassy in Iran.

Goranov further informed the lawyer was a very good one and Rusev's family, not the State was paying for his services.

The Iranian Court has 3 instances, meaning that regardless of the sentence it could be appealed to the highest court.

Bulgarian diplomats say the tense political situation in Iran over the disputed presidential elections would not interfere with Rusev's case, which is purely criminal.

 

 

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!