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Punishments for migrant smuggling should be stricter: President Radev

Photo: ЕПА/БГНЕС

At a press briefing, when asked about the case in which the bodies of 18 migrants were found in a truck near the village of Lokorsko, President Rumen Radev pointed out that in other countries the perpetrators of similar crimes receive tens of years in prison. In Bulgaria, Radev pointed out, after their capture by the authorities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, according to an agreement with the prosecutor's office, they receive several months of imprisonment, which is an invitation to commit the same crimes again. 

According to the Bulgarian head of state, this case clearly shows that the judicial authorities in Bulgaria must approach this type of crime in a radically different way.


Radev added that this is also the reason for the thousands of unregistered migrants who are today in some European countries, including Austria. That is why Bulgaria has managed in recent months to convince the European Commission, the European Council and all partners that border protection is not the responsibility of front-line countries only, but of all member states, the president pointed out. 
He also added that significant support in the form of financial means and equipment is expected.



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