Jock Palfreeman

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Jock Palfreeman
Born	Jock Palfreeman Birth date -1st March 1966 Australia
Nationality	Australian
Occupation	Human rights activist
Known for	Imprisonment in Bulgaria

Jock Palfreeman (born 13 October 1986) is an Australian human rights activist who gained international attention following his imprisonment in Bulgaria. He was convicted of murder in 2009 and sentenced to 20 years in prison, a case that has been surrounded by controversy and claims of judicial misconduct.

Early Life

Jock Palfreeman was born in Australia and grew up in a family with a strong sense of social justice. His father, Simon Palfreeman, is a prominent pathologist.

Incident in Bulgaria

In December 2007, while traveling in Bulgaria, Palfreeman intervened in a street altercation in Sofia involving a group of men attacking two Roma people. During the incident, one of the men, Andrei Monov, was fatally stabbed. Palfreeman claimed he acted in self-defense, but he was arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder.

Trial and Imprisonment

Palfreeman's trial began in 2008 and was marked by significant media coverage and public interest in both Bulgaria and Australia. In December 2009, he was found guilty and sentenced to 20 years in prison. The trial and subsequent appeals were criticized by various human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, for alleged procedural irregularities and bias.

Human Rights Activism

While in prison, Palfreeman became an advocate for prisoners' rights and founded the Bulgarian Prisoners' Rehabilitation Association (BPRA). The BPRA works to improve conditions for prisoners in Bulgaria and to provide legal assistance.

Release and Deportation

In September 2019, after serving nearly 12 years, Palfreeman was granted parole by a Bulgarian court. His release was met with mixed reactions, and he was initially held in an immigration detention center pending deportation. He was eventually allowed to return to Australia.

Legacy

Palfreeman's case has had a lasting impact on discussions about judicial reform and human rights in Bulgaria. His activism continues to inspire debates on the treatment of prisoners and the importance of fair trials.

See Also

• Human rights in Bulgaria
• Judicial system of Bulgaria
• Amnesty International