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PART I “We have been starved, repeatedly beaten, and verbally abused (…) Instead of receiving assistance we were mocked and told to fuck off” – Detainees of Bulgarian Border Regime reporting their story of arriving in Europe
The respondent reported that prior to crossing into Bulgaria, he gathered with approximately twenty people in a room in Turkey. He stated that the group left using four separate vehicles, but these only travelled part-way, and they later had to walk for one week through Turkish forests and an additional two days through Bulgarian territory. Upon arrival in Bulgaria, the respondent stated that the group was immediately subjected to physical violence by the authorities. He claimed that they were beaten and then taken directly to what appeared to be a prison facility, likely a police station located near the border.
The respondent described the conditions at this location as inhumane. The detainees said they have been starved, repeatedly beaten, and verbally abused. They requested water reportedly in Turkish, Arabic, and English due to severe dehydration after three days without fluids. However the officers denied these requests and refused to give anything. Instead of receiving assistance, the detainees were mocked and told to “fuck off.”
Eventually, a superior officer arrived at the facility. The respondent stated that they finally received water, but the only food offered was canned pork. As the detainees were Muslim, it was not possible for them to consume the food, and their refusal was answered with further beatings and verbal abuse specifically targeting their religion. Eventually, they were provided a single packet of biscuits for every three to four people.
The police confiscated the group’s personal belongings, including money and phones. The respondent explained that they made promises assuring the return of these items upon release. However, none of the items were ever returned. The respondent stated that the group was taken to court with the assistance of a translator. During the proceedings, detailed questions were asked regarding the identity of the driver and the smuggler. The respondent said he was unable to provide this information, as he had remained inside a truck for the duration of the journey and had not seen the individuals in question. Despite this, they were further questioned and ‘pressured violently’. When they requested water during the court session, the respondent recounted the officers punching him in the face and pushing him to the ground. These events occurred still within the initial police station.
The respondent described the conditions at this location as inhumane. The detainees said they have been starved, repeatedly beaten, and verbally abused. They requested water reportedly in Turkish, Arabic, and English due to severe dehydration after three days without fluids. However the officers denied these requests and refused to give anything. Instead of receiving assistance, the detainees were mocked and told to “fuck off.”
Eventually, a superior officer arrived at the facility. The respondent stated that they finally received water, but the only food offered was canned pork. As the detainees were Muslim, it was not possible for them to consume the food, and their refusal was answered with further beatings and verbal abuse specifically targeting their religion. Eventually, they were provided a single packet of biscuits for every three to four people.
The police confiscated the group’s personal belongings, including money and phones. The respondent explained that they made promises assuring the return of these items upon release. However, none of the items were ever returned. The respondent stated that the group was taken to court with the assistance of a translator. During the proceedings, detailed questions were asked regarding the identity of the driver and the smuggler. The respondent said he was unable to provide this information, as he had remained inside a truck for the duration of the journey and had not seen the individuals in question. Despite this, they were further questioned and ‘pressured violently’. When they requested water during the court session, the respondent recounted the officers punching him in the face and pushing him to the ground. These events occurred still within the initial police station.
Lubyimets detention centre, where the respondent was likely detained
The respondent reported that prior to crossing into Bulgaria, he gathered with approximately twenty people in a room in Turkey. He stated that the group left using four separate vehicles, but these only travelled part-way, and they later had to walk for one week through Turkish forests and an additional two days through Bulgarian territory. Upon arrival in Bulgaria, the respondent stated that the group was immediately subjected to physical violence by the authorities. He claimed that they were beaten and then taken directly to what appeared to be a prison facility, likely a police station located near the border.
The respondent described the conditions at this location as inhumane. The detainees said they have been starved, repeatedly beaten, and verbally abused. They requested water reportedly in Turkish, Arabic, and English due to severe dehydration after three days without fluids. However the officers denied these requests and refused to give anything. Instead of receiving assistance, the detainees were mocked and told to “fuck off.”
Eventually, a superior officer arrived at the facility. The respondent stated that they finally received water, but the only food offered was canned pork. As the detainees were Muslim, it was not possible for them to consume the food, and their refusal was answered with further beatings and verbal abuse specifically targeting their religion. Eventually, they were provided a single packet of biscuits for every three to four people.
The police confiscated the group’s personal belongings, including money and phones. The respondent explained that they made promises assuring the return of these items upon release. However, none of the items were ever returned. The respondent stated that the group was taken to court with the assistance of a translator. During the proceedings, detailed questions were asked regarding the identity of the driver and the smuggler. The respondent said he was unable to provide this information, as he had remained inside a truck for the duration of the journey and had not seen the individuals in question. Despite this, they were further questioned and ‘pressured violently’. When they requested water during the court session, the respondent recounted the officers punching him in the face and pushing him to the ground. These events occurred still within the initial police station.
The respondent described the conditions at this location as inhumane. The detainees said they have been starved, repeatedly beaten, and verbally abused. They requested water reportedly in Turkish, Arabic, and English due to severe dehydration after three days without fluids. However the officers denied these requests and refused to give anything. Instead of receiving assistance, the detainees were mocked and told to “fuck off.”
Eventually, a superior officer arrived at the facility. The respondent stated that they finally received water, but the only food offered was canned pork. As the detainees were Muslim, it was not possible for them to consume the food, and their refusal was answered with further beatings and verbal abuse specifically targeting their religion. Eventually, they were provided a single packet of biscuits for every three to four people.
The police confiscated the group’s personal belongings, including money and phones. The respondent explained that they made promises assuring the return of these items upon release. However, none of the items were ever returned. The respondent stated that the group was taken to court with the assistance of a translator. During the proceedings, detailed questions were asked regarding the identity of the driver and the smuggler. The respondent said he was unable to provide this information, as he had remained inside a truck for the duration of the journey and had not seen the individuals in question. Despite this, they were further questioned and ‘pressured violently’. When they requested water during the court session, the respondent recounted the officers punching him in the face and pushing him to the ground. These events occurred still within the initial police station.
The respondent’s injuries after the physical violence from police
Following their court appearance, the group was transferred to what the respondent referred to as “Busmantsi.” From other context, it is however more likely that the actual location was the Lyubimets detention center, which serves the region and is commonly referred to as “Busmantsi” among people on the move. Upon arrival at the facility, the respondent reported being beaten and slapped inside one of the rooms. He was asked numerous questions during this process. The detainees were reportedly stripped to their underwear and left without additional clothing or cover. Once again, all remaining belongings were taken, with the understanding that they would be returned — which they were not.
The respondent said that they spent a total of 15 days in the detention facility. On the day of his release, the respondent reported that he failed to respond to camp staff immediately, as he had still been asleep. In consequence they dragged him into another room and beat him once again.
The respondent said he submitted an application for asylum in Bulgaria and a political interview was conducted as part of the asylum process. During the first interview, the respondent was questioned repeatedly regarding his presence in Bulgaria. He explained that his journey began in Syria, continued into Turkey, and ended in Bulgaria where he asked for humanitarian protection.
In Bulgaria the main respondent was asked questions, like “Why did you leave Syria, why didn’t you just move to another region like the Kurdish part or the region ruled by the Free Army.” But the respondent stated that he was searched by the government because he evaded military service in Syria – an obligation that can last up to ten years. He stated that if he surrendered to other regions he would also have to join the armies controlling these regions. In any place in Syria he would be sent to war and die. He stated that in order to save his life he had to leave Syria.
However, the asylum officers reportedly responded by asserting that “there is no war in Syria at the moment; it is safe.” He was asked whether he had witnessed any direct violence by the Assad regime. In response, the respondent stated that the home of his uncle was bombed and a cousin arrested, beaten, and killed in prison by regime forces.
During a second interview, the interviewers requested a written statement from the respondent But eventually the interviewers wrote a statement themselves and forced the respondent to sign it without his knowledge of its contents.
He was asked additional questions concerning his age, reasons for leaving Turkey, and further inquiries about the border crossing and the smugglers involved. When he was unable to provide answers, the interviewers accused him of lying and threatened him in order to force a confession.
The respondent said that they spent a total of 15 days in the detention facility. On the day of his release, the respondent reported that he failed to respond to camp staff immediately, as he had still been asleep. In consequence they dragged him into another room and beat him once again.
The respondent said he submitted an application for asylum in Bulgaria and a political interview was conducted as part of the asylum process. During the first interview, the respondent was questioned repeatedly regarding his presence in Bulgaria. He explained that his journey began in Syria, continued into Turkey, and ended in Bulgaria where he asked for humanitarian protection.
In Bulgaria the main respondent was asked questions, like “Why did you leave Syria, why didn’t you just move to another region like the Kurdish part or the region ruled by the Free Army.” But the respondent stated that he was searched by the government because he evaded military service in Syria – an obligation that can last up to ten years. He stated that if he surrendered to other regions he would also have to join the armies controlling these regions. In any place in Syria he would be sent to war and die. He stated that in order to save his life he had to leave Syria.
However, the asylum officers reportedly responded by asserting that “there is no war in Syria at the moment; it is safe.” He was asked whether he had witnessed any direct violence by the Assad regime. In response, the respondent stated that the home of his uncle was bombed and a cousin arrested, beaten, and killed in prison by regime forces.
During a second interview, the interviewers requested a written statement from the respondent But eventually the interviewers wrote a statement themselves and forced the respondent to sign it without his knowledge of its contents.
He was asked additional questions concerning his age, reasons for leaving Turkey, and further inquiries about the border crossing and the smugglers involved. When he was unable to provide answers, the interviewers accused him of lying and threatened him in order to force a confession.
overview
20 people ,
from Syria and others,
aged 20-40.