Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Court rules against extradition of former Turkish colonel seeking asylum in Bulgaria

Photo: Pixabay

The district law court in Haskovo has ruled not to extradite former colonel Mustafa Goktash from the Turkish special services to Turkey. Goktash stands accused of “conspiracy to commit murder” and “being a member of an organization formed to commit a crime” in 2002.

According to the Bulgarian magistrates, the guarantees provided by Turkey do not ensure a fair trial under the European Convention on Human Rights. Having regard to the evidence provided and citing acts by European Parliament pertaining to problems with rule of law and judicial independence in Turkey, as well as under Bulgarian law, and the expiry of the limitation period vis-à-vis the charges brought against Mustafa Goktash, the court ruled against extradition. The ruling is subject to appeal. 



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Sunny weather and scattered clouds expected on Bulgaria's Unification Day

During the night, the weather will remain mostly clear with scattered high clouds. After midnight, low clouds or fog are expected to form over the far eastern regions. It will be almost calm across most of the country. There will be a light northerly..

published on 9/5/25 6:35 PM
E-Government Minister Valentin Mundrov

Bulgaria to audit government IT systems for euro readiness from October

Bulgaria will begin checks after Oct. 1 to ensure all government IT systems are ready to operate with the euro , e-Government Minister Valentin Mundrov told parliament on Thursday. He said preparations were 97.75% complete. The ministry oversees the..

published on 9/5/25 6:23 PM
Вътрешният министър Даниел Митов

Bulgaria says migrant pressure at Turkish border down more than tenfold

Bulgaria says migrant pressure at Turkish border down more than tenfold Migrant pressure on Bulgaria’s border with Turkey has fallen more than tenfold in the past two years, Interior Minister Daniel Mitov said on Thursday at the opening of a new..

published on 9/5/25 6:13 PM