During the week Bulgarian society has been showing high interest in the repatriation of seven Turkish citizens, considered supporters of Turkish preacher Fetullah Gulen. Whether perplexed by the fact that the United States refused to repatriate the preacher to Ankara, while Bulgaria readily hands over supporters, or out of concern for the fate of the people after their return to a system from which they fled, Bulgarians carefully watch every detail of the case, ready to criticize the authorities. The media revealed that prior to the extradition of seven Gülenists to Turkey, two other opposition members, wanted in connection with publications about corruption in the Turkish government, were handed to Ankara.

Some found similarities with the recent scandal, related to Turkish businessman Abdullah Büyük, extradited two months ago despite the opinion of the court that the request for his handing was politically motivated and aimed political repression. The case even became a reason for confrontation between Bulgarian political forces during the election struggle. Presidential candidate Rumen Radev, supported by BSP, hinted about possible relations between the Bulgarian authorities and the regime of Erdogan. The candidate of the ruling GERB party, Tsetska Tsacheva, replied that the national interest and the interest of the state were more important than protection of individual rights, and that made candidate for President of rightist Reformist Bloc Traicho Traikov angry. He said the attitude of Tsacheva was insulting to Bulgarians. In respect to the Büyük case and the seven extradited this week, human rights defenders and national ombudsman Maya Manolova said that Bulgarian authorities had acted in violation of the constitution and international law. The Ombudsman held meetings with the "Migration Department and the Ministry of Interior over violation of rights.

So far it has not become quite clear whether the Turkish citizens handed to Turkey had the chance to seek protection. The ombudsman has requested that she receives information about any forced removal of foreigners from Bulgaria. PM Borissov admitted that at the backdrop of the refugee crisis it was very difficult to achieve balance in the name of public interest and called for an end to suggestions from people who did not understand much about these things. He added that society should trust the decisions and actions of the services. In all this mess people remain ignorant of the fate and the rights of Turkish nationals, who were handed over to Ankara.

English: Al. Markov