Penalties and Doubts. Instead of the Afterword

Abstract

The text is based on the author's long-standing research in gypsy slums, where those convicted of "preaching religious hatred" and "propaganda for war" targeted Bulgarian "Islamists" live. The harsh sentences handed down by the court of first instance and challenged by the Supreme Court gave rise to numerous doubts. The article anal-yses the reasons for issuing such sentences – too inconclusive and giving the impression of bias. At the time of the creation of this text, the case was returned to its very beginning. It remains to be seen whether it will be reinstated (with another panel) or permanently terminated. The question – how will the prisoners be considered for the years of imprisonment, for the material and moral damage inflicted on them – remains hanging for now.