Shields Demands Apology from Bulgaria Authorities

A file picture shows Liverpool soccer team supporter Michael Shields speaking with journalists at Varna prison. It was announced on 09 September 2009 that Shields had been pardoned by British Justice Secretary Jack Straw. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Michael Shields has demanded an apology from the Bulgarian authorities for wrongly convicting him of the attack on barman Martin Georgiev in 2005.

Shields is also demanding an apology from the UK government for keeping an "innocent man behind bars in his own country," the Liverpool Echo reported Friday.

Speaking after his first night of freedom Shields said: "It's human nature to make mistakes. But people should have the decency to say they are sorry.

"I look at big miscarriage of justice cases over the years and while the victims may eventually have been freed with a lot of people saying how regrettable it is that one little word is usually missing.

"An apology would mean a lot to me. I want it on record. I've spent four and a half years in prison going through hell and the least they can do is say sorry.

"I'm bitterly disappointed there are people in Bulgaria questioning my pardon and Jack Straw's decision. It has left a sour taste.

"I've heard that some people in Bulgaria are asking why they haven't seen this new evidence which has made Jack Straw change his mind. But the fact is we desperately tried to show it to them when I was over there, and since I came back, but they weren't interested. They blocked us and ignored us at every turn.

"They have continually said they aren't interested in re-opening the case. I'd love for them one day to re-investigate the case. I'm finally recognised as innocent in my own country but I want every last stain removed from my name. I want them to admit they locked up the wrong person. I'm realistic though - whether that will actually happen is debatable."

Shield's lawyers Peter Weatherby and John Weate will now consider their options about asking Bulgaria to reconsider Michael's conviction following the attack in the Golden Sands resort in May 2005, the Liverpool Echo continued.

Shields was pardoned by the UK Justice Secretary, Jack Straw, on the grounds of the confession made by another Liverpool fan who said he had committed the crime, Novinite.com was told by a source from Radio City in Liverpool on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old was serving a 10-year sentence for the attempted murder of a Bulgarian barman after his team's win in the 2005 Champions League final.

The victim, Martin Georgiev, had a rock dropped on his head in Varna, Bulgaria, where Shields, like a number of Liverpool fans, had broken up the journey home from Istanbul.

Shields, then 18, was found guilty of attempted murder and sentenced to 15 years in prison, which was reduced to 10 years on appeal.

He had been serving the remainder of his sentence in Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institute in Appleton Thorn, Warrington.

 

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