New Group of Roma Expelled to Bulgaria from France - Report

People from the second group of Bulgarian Roma deported from France are hiding their faces from the camera at Sofia Airport, Aug. 25. Photo by BGNES

France has allegedly made its first repatriation of Roma after the European Parliament called for an immediate stop of expulsions, when a group of 14 Roma reportedly arrived at Sofia airport Friday.

The information about the arrival of the 14 Roma in Bulgaria was circulated by Bulgarian and French media alike, quoting AFP.

If true, that would be the third group of Roma people sent back to Bulgaria, after a first 13 Roma came to Sofia August 20, to be followed by 11 more August 25.

The arrival of the new group of Roma is shrouded in mystery, after it was announced as imminent by Bulgarian media Friday morning, only to be refuted by the French Embassy in Sofia later during the day.

Bulgarian media write that the information is based on a statement by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

French-language media like Le Monde, Le Figaro and Tribune de Gen?ve, on the contrary, write that the report is quoting "a spokesperson for the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

All sources state that the persons sent back to Bulgaria lived in the Paris suburb of Bagnolet without official registration. Some of them lived in rented flats, other in camps.
The repatriation was allegedly voluntary, as Roma were given the choice to register with local authorities or to go back.

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