Man fears death in Bulgarian jail

A Territory man convicted of drug smuggling in Bulgaria says he could die if jailed.

Katherine-born Garry David said Bulgarian guards stopped him from walking for five days straight in one of his stays in prison.

"I absolutley fear for my life at the hands of the Bulgarian Government," he said. "I have already been subjected to inhuman treatment when I was held in custody on several occasions."

Mr David, who runs a range of businesses in Bulgaria, was convicted of possessing and distributing a high-risk narcotic after controlled medications were found in mail he sent to the US.

A search of his office found more medications but Mr David said they were for his own use and were not controlled substances under Bulgarian law.

He is awaiting an appeal to the Bulgarian Supreme Court. If it fails, he will be sent to prison for 10 years.

Mr David already has spent two months in prison after being arrested in 2002.

He said repeated appeals to the Australian Government for help had been ignored.

"I am mentally exhausted about this whole ordeal," Mr David said. "Some help is wanting rather urgently."

Australian embassy officials in Athens are in contact with Mr David, who now has to made an application for help through the Attorney-General's department.

Solomon MHR David Tollner said the government was trying to help.

"We have done what we can in regard to identifying certain lawyers and offering assistance with applications but we don't want to be seen to be interferiing in the judicial process in Bulgaria," he said.

Mr David said the application for special circumstances assistance only came after more than two years of requests to the embassy.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Thurs, 07 July 2005
Source: Northern Territory News (Australia)
Author: Eric Tlozek
Copyright: 2005 Northern Territory News
Contact: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Website: http://ntnews.news.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/283