Bulgaria Shows Respect for UK Pardon of Michael Shields

Micheal Shields, now aged 22, was jailed for ten years after he was found guilty of attacking Martin Georgiev after Liverpool FC's European Cup victory in 2005. File photo

Bulgarian authorities consider legal the pardon that the United Kingdom granted to Liverpool football fan Michael Shields, who was sentenced to ten years in jail in Bulgaria over an attack on a barman.

This becomes clear from an official statement of the Justice Ministry, which was circulated ot the media on Thursday, a day after Shields release.

The act of granting a pardon is in line with the regulations of the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons and it was up to the British authorities to take their own decision, the statement says.

The Bulgarian authorities have already received documents on the case from the British justice system.

Meanwhile during a meeting of the Supreme Judicial Council, Lazar Gruev, chairman of the Supreme Cassation Court, commented that the pardon granted to Michael Shields has nothing to do with the court verdict.

"The granting of a pardon is an act of state mercy. Each of us has to have mercy for the victim, but also respect for the court," Gruev said, adding that the United Kingdom has one of the longest traditions in the exercise of this rare power.

Senior prosecutor Boris Velchev said it is not serious to discuss the right to a pardon of another country.

He stressed, however, that the trial may be resumed should the United Kingdom present new evidence on the case.

Micheal Shields, now aged 22, was jailed for ten years after he was found guilty of attacking Martin Georgiev after Liverpool FC's European Cup victory in 2005.

He was transferred to a prison in the UK a year later, with his conviction identified as a potential miscarriage of justice in the High Court Judicial Review.

Shields had applied for a free pardon under the Royal Prerogative of mercy, which was initially rejected.

Now he has been pardoned by Justice Secretary Jack Straw following a campaign by his family, MPs, clergymen, and Liverpool players, who believe he is innocent.

 

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