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Wed, Feb 08 2012
Michael Shields demands apology
Freed football fan Michael Shields has demanded an apology from the people who, he says, kept him behind bars for a crime he did not commit.
The 22-year-old Liverpool fan says he wants the Bulgarian authorities to apologise for wrongly convicting him of the attack on waiter Martin Georgiev in 2005.
He also wants the British Government to formally apologise for keeping a man now declared "morally and technically innocent" behind bars in his own country.
The Liverpool Echo (no relation to the Sofia Echo) quotes Shields as saying: "It’s human nature to make mistakes. But people should have the decency to say they are sorry.
"I look at big miscarriage of justice cases over the years and while the victims may eventually have been freed with a lot of people saying how regrettable it is, that one little word is usually missing. An apology would mean a lot to me. I want it on record. I’ve spent four-and-a half-years in prison going through hell and the least they can do is say sorry."
The newspaper also quotes Shields as saying that he is "bitterly disappointed" that people in Bulgaria would question his pardon. "I’ve heard that some people in Bulgaria are asking why they haven’t seen this new evidence which has made Jack Straw change his mind. But the fact is we desperately tried to show it to them when I was over there, and since I came back, but they weren’t interested. They blocked us and ignored us at every turn."
The 22-year-old Liverpool fan says he wants the Bulgarian authorities to apologise for wrongly convicting him of the attack on waiter Martin Georgiev in 2005.
He also wants the British Government to formally apologise for keeping a man now declared "morally and technically innocent" behind bars in his own country.
The Liverpool Echo (no relation to the Sofia Echo) quotes Shields as saying: "It’s human nature to make mistakes. But people should have the decency to say they are sorry.
"I look at big miscarriage of justice cases over the years and while the victims may eventually have been freed with a lot of people saying how regrettable it is, that one little word is usually missing. An apology would mean a lot to me. I want it on record. I’ve spent four-and-a half-years in prison going through hell and the least they can do is say sorry."
The newspaper also quotes Shields as saying that he is "bitterly disappointed" that people in Bulgaria would question his pardon. "I’ve heard that some people in Bulgaria are asking why they haven’t seen this new evidence which has made Jack Straw change his mind. But the fact is we desperately tried to show it to them when I was over there, and since I came back, but they weren’t interested. They blocked us and ignored us at every turn."
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The Sofia Echo
So what Stefcho, since we have problems, lets beat up Bulgarians because they've got it worse anyway?
The US is the one with the biggest problems of all, and unlike Bulgaria, it's capable of dragging the whole world down with them...
Yeah he committed a crime and should be in jail but this double standard of putting ex pats in jail for the crimes they committ and not the ones that are committed every single day in this country is the real crime here. Murder, pay off's, prostitution, play for pay, govt officals taking bribes, Mutra running this country without anybody doing a dam thing about it is more of a crime then the assault of one man, don't get me wrong, this was horrible but this country is in such bad shape it's a joke and not a funny one, [...]
Read the full comment it's a scary one. The future of this country is not a good one and I think anyone with a brain can see that. This bigger picture is much more important then this one issue. I hope this man recovers fast and wish him the very best and my prayers are with him.
Pls remember, UK general elections are coming up next year, Mr Straw is winning votes in the North for New labour, it is as simple as that.
I won't comment if Shields is innocent because I wasn't there. But it is a travesty to demand an apology because to Bulgarian law, the boy is still guilty. I love the PR spin that they are creating and getting him money and fame...
Cosmos,
and the British ex-pats who may be apprehensive about their future perception in BG:
I wouldn't worry.
BG is not a tribal society and we can make the difference between a British football hooligan and a person enjoying life in BG.
We are also not an arbitrarily violent people. 99% of all violence is individually targeted and usually connected with some sort of financial gain, not some tribal virtue, or ethnic honor, as it would be in the UK or Albania...
Sylvia:
"We all know about the corruption in Bulgaria."
I think this is the basis for the firm believe in Shield's innocence in the minds of British white trash. Well, welcome to the club Sylvia. When politicians make phone calls, and criminals walk, then you know for sure you've arrived in that terrible foreign land of lawlessness.
Enjoy!
We are so sorry for putting you in jail for the brutal attack you committed on an innocent man. The sad part is that you won't spend more time in jail like you deserve. You just lucky that the asshole Jack Straw is a Liverpool fan and did what he could to get you out of the crime you committed. So yes, we are sorry for this. I hope you sleep at night.
The law courts should decide who is to blame not a member of goverment what about the poor man that has had his life ruined this is not justice. I think that the Bulgaria courts should bring back the accused and have a retrial with the press in court to make sure that its fair.
This guy is guilty but does not have the guts to own up he is a true liverpool scum bag football thicko that spent all his life reading the sun i hope he stays north of the border.
Not all brits are shit there are a lot of decent hard working brits but also they feel ashamed at there goverments two faced answer to shields release.
It Sickens me.when i read nasty comments from .sick.twisted.narrow minded.people .Have they ever stopped and thought for one moment what really happened to Michael Shields was a Travesty We all know about the corruption in Bulgaria.GRAHAM SANKEY Must be Laughing at BULGARIANS He dONE IT AND GOT AWAY WITH IT .i feel sorry MARTIN G .He Didnt see who hit him with the Brick He Was Told Two Victims .YET SANKEY WALKS AROUND WITH A BIG SMURK ON HIS FACE .LOOKING OVER HIS SHOULDER FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE I HOPE MICHAEL MAY BE FREE .BUT SOME UNFINISHED JUSTICE [...]
Read the full comment ALO If Michael Shields does get Compensation GOOD LUCK TO HIM NO AMMOUNT OF MONEY COULD EVER COMPENSATE FOR THE TIME OR TRAVERSTY HE HAS SUFFERED GOD BLESS MICHAEL SHIELDS AND ALL WHOM SUPPORTED HIM.
the guy is from Liverpool - you cant say anything against their fans AT ALL. only blame authorities, not them. think of how many football disasters they have been involved with!! but always is not their fault!!
how much have they paid the other guy for a "confession" that has little chance of being tested???
now he will want money!!!
Shields should be glad and grateful for the fact that, due to Straw's intervention, he has been released.
Just leave it at that. Try to have some thoughts for Georgiev.
Don't try to make us believe that you can actually write. Oh, well, maybe something for the equally undereducated to read as well as The Sun.
This comment has been hidden by the moderator because it contained квалификации.
You are guilty say sorry to the Bulgarian guy.
Another resident of Self Pity City looks for an apology.
What next compo?
No mention of an apology to the innocent Bulgarian?
congratulations michael iam made up for u all love to my cousion michael and marie x