UK citizen found guilty

02:00 Mon 01 Aug 2005 - Christina Dimitrova

UK citizen Michael Shields (19) was found guilty of attempted murder in Varna and sentenced to 15 years in prison, at initial close confinement.
Shields, a Liverpool native, would get to choose whether to serve the time in Bulgaria or the UK.
The verdict can be appealed within 15 days.
The Varna Regional Court handed down the sentence on July 26. Shields has maintained his innocence amid a separate confession from another Liverpool native, Graham Sankey, that he himself hit 25-year-old bartender Martin Georgiev with a 3.5 kg stone slab over the head, sending him into a coma on May 30 in the Golden Sands resort.
According to the prosecution and eyewitnesses, Georgiev tried to stop a brawl among drunken UK fans of the Liverpool FC outside a bar in the resort, when Shields hit him with the slab and left him on the ground with a broken skull and an exposed brain.
Shields, Sankey and about 100 Liverpool FC fans were on vacation in Golden Sands after attending the final game of the Champions League in Istanbul several days earlier.
The court found the other defendant, Anthony Wilson, also 19, guilty of possession of 7.24 grams of hashish and sentenced him to 2.5 years suspended sentence with four years probation.
Both Shields and Wilson were found not guilty of hooliganism but were sentenced to pay a fine of 900 leva each for “indecent actions, grossly violating the public order and demonstrating disrespect for society”.
The court also sentenced Shields to pay 200 000 leva in damages to Georgiev, who in spite of his health condition, was present at court.
Shields must also pay 9429 leva in state fees and trial costs.
Wilson, who was set free on bail of 200 leva and forbidden to leave the country until his sentence comes into effect, must pay 303 leva to cover court expenses.
According to reports in the Liverpool Echo (not related to The Sofia Echo), on July 23 Snakey, through his solicitor, David Kirwan, released a statement that he had smashed Georgiev’s head.
Sankey, however, has only made a verbal statement that the Varna court refused to consider as valid testimony.
Sankey was among those arrested by Varna police but had been released after a brief interview.
The other man arrested, Bradley Thompson, was fined and released.
Later Thompson signed a statement that he had not seen Shields anywhere near the bar at the time of the attack.
Shields himself, as well as his hotel roommate Geoff Hughes, said Shields went to his room around 2 am and went to sleep.
Shields had been seen walking into his room at that time by a porter in the hotel in which they were staying.
The attack happened around 5 am.
According to reports, on the plane back home Sankey had been overheard boasting that he had “won the lottery”.
Kirwan said that upon hearing the news of Shields’ sentence, Sankey was “appalled” but that his client was not willing to stand trial in Bulgaria.
According to the Liverpool Echo, the local police said that they do not have the power to arrest Sankey and if he went to them making a statement that he was Georgiev’s attacker, the only thing they could do is pass on the information to the Bulgarian police.
Pressure upon UK authorities to intervene in the case has been mounting.
According to reports in the Liverpool Echo, Louise Ellman, member of parliament for the Riverside constituency in which Shields lives, who is supporting the family, wrote a letter to UK prime minister Tony Blair demanding “strong representations to the Bulgarian authorities to ensure that justice will be done”.
According to the same newspaper, a Liverpool FC player, Jamie Carragher also called on Blair to intervene to win a reprieve for Shields.
In a posting on The Sofia Echo forum from July 28, the Liverpool-based real estate agency Southern Comfit International announced that it would discontinue doing business in Bulgaria.
“In view of continuing political unrest in the Bulgarian Parliament, and the questionable verdict regarding Michael Shields imprisonment, Southern Comfit is suspending indefinitely all sales of Bulgarian properties... It will furthermore suggest that those companies trading in the Bulgarian market consider whether their continuing to do so is in the best interests of their clients,” the statement read in part.

Comments

Comments by Cherie Blair - 10:26 01 Aug 2005
	Dear All, It is impossible for anyone who comes from Liverpool to commit such a crime !!!! especially this gentle Giant with the baby face. Bulgaria will not join the EU, if this man is not released. I can not understand why our socialist brothers in Bulgaria can not see this !!! Still on the other hand I suppose we should expect this from a country thar has only contributed yogurt and some miserable goat cheeses to the worlds cultural development ! Let us face it this waiter chappie !!!he is only a poor Silanger !!!! and does not really count in comparisson to a citizen of the UK and particularly Liverpool. Ps Michael Sheilds remember You Will Never Walk Alone and your Socialist Brothers from the town councill are on there way to rescue you... (hopefully the mayor of Varna will collect them in his mercedes)
Comments by phoenix - 10:35 01 Aug 2005
	"Let us face it this waiter chappie !!!he is only a poor Silanger !!!! and does not really count in comparisson to a citizen of the UK and particularly Liverpool." So you differentiate in this way human life, great thinking? Your 'advanced' British mentality allows you to justify a crime by ranking people and the importance of their existence? Following your logic if Martin Georgiev was killed, the criminal should be set free because his life is nothing to that of a British? If everyone shares this thinking we are all doomed. I will not get into an argument about your incompetent remarks about the Bulgarian cultural heritage, as it has nothing to do with the case. But please, before you make some claims, it's not a bad idea to open a book or two. After all, you are the higher and intelligent one, right? Such comments make me sick and I keep wondering how can people be arrogant when the life of a human being has been affected (not so say almost taken away). You should be the one ashamed.
Comments by Lee - 11:41 01 Aug 2005
	WHERE IS THE EVIDENCE AGAINEST MICHAEL ? THERE IS ONLY WITNESSES, THE WITNESSES WHO SEEN MICHAEL IN THE BACK OF A POLICE CAR OUTSIDE BIG BEN'S BEFORE HE WAS CHARGED, THEY THEN WALKED PAST MICHAEL WHILE HE WAS CHAINED TO A RADITIOR, MICHAEL WAS THEN PUT INTO A 1 ENGLISHMAN (MICHAEL) AND 5 BULGARIANS LINE UP, MADE TO WEAR A WHITE T.SHIRT WHICH HE DIDNT HAVE ON, ON THE NIGHT OF THE ATTACK ! THERE WAS NO DNA TAKEN FROM THE SLAB OR MICHAELS CLOTHES, WHICH MICHAELS FAMILY HAS FIGHTED FOR, ONLY NOW FOR THE APPEAL ARE THE COURTS ASKING FOR DNA. I BELIEVE THE WITNESSES HAVE ALSO ALONG WITH MICHAEL HAVE BEEN SET UP BY THE BULGRIAN POLICE BECAUSE THEY KNEW THEY HAD LET THE REAL CUPRIT GO, THE WITNESSES BETTER BE CAREFULL BECAUSE THE TRUTH WILL COME OUT AND THEY COULD FIND THEMSELFS LOCKED UP WERE MICHAEL IS !
Comments by LIVERPOOL - 12:08 01 Aug 2005
	TO GRAHAM SANKEY'S FRIEND'S (if he has any now) WHY DONT YOU BE MEN AND GO TO THE ENGLISH POLICE AND TELL THEM WHAT YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW HE DID IT, HE GAVE YOUR NAMES INTO THE BULGARIAN POLICE THATS WHY YOU ENDED UP IN COURT WITH MICHAEL, SO WHY DONT YOU GO AND TELL OUR POLICE WHAT YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE GOT NOTHING TO LOSE, MICHAEL HAS GOT HIS LIFE TO LOSE, HELP MICHAEL, TELL THE ENGLISH POLICE WHAT YOU KNOW NOW.
Comments by rloxley - 14:24 01 Aug 2005
	Michael Shelds is guilty. I know that for sure. Sankey was paid to make a fake confession. He will take it away as soon as Shields is freed.
Comments by An outraged Bulgarian - 14:29 01 Aug 2005
	Dear Mrs. Blair (although I doubt that this is your real name, but let's not get into this), I am VERY outraged with your racist and stupid comments about my country and its cultural heritage. I will not get into details about our history -you can look it up yourself. I would like to get into your comments about the value of life. So it turns out, according to you, that anyone who is not British is not a human being and his or her life has no value whatsoever. Well, great thinking indeed!!! So, it turns out, again according to your, I must say, inadequate mental processes, a Brit, and a person from Liverpool in particular, could not have done such a horrible thing. Oh yes, and this statement comes from a country known throughout the world for its football hooligans, and from the city whose football “fans” caused the Heysel Stadium Tragedy 20 years ago to the date of the assault on Martin Georgiev. I guess, we in the little country known for its yogurt and white cheese (for your information it is not goat, but sheep), must count our blessings and be grateful that it was only one guy and he did not die. Yes, it could have been worse – what was it in Heysel – 39 deaths, right?! And what should have we done? Maybe bow in gratitude to the Great White Master from the UK and sent him off on the first plane back home? I will only say a few more things and will go and check on the yogurt. We are not idiots, we are as much human beings as you are, and as white as you are. Our lives count exactly as much as the lives of the Brits or the citizens of any other country. Our courts are not full of retards and they can say right from wrong and just from unjust. Oh yes, if you, people don’t like it here, I suggest you sell your retirement homes on the coast and in the mountains, pack and get on the first plane back to your foggy and rainy island. We don’t really want your hooligans in our country, so take them back as well.
Comments by John Prescott - 16:53 01 Aug 2005
	Dear Sirs, In the past I have been accused in the Uk parliament of my use of English Language akin to that of a Rubics Cube. However...wait till the BBC get on this case that is Blairs Broadcasting Company formally known as the Britsh Broadcasting Company ! Where is Bulgaria Anyway !! did David Blunket have a lover or require a visa for a Nanny from the place !!!
Comments by Gordon Brown - 12:01 02 Aug 2005
	Southern Comfit is suspending indefinitely all sales of Bulgarian properties... Oh my god what are we allgoing to do... I am sure the `Stock markets in both Bulgaria and the UK are going to go into collapse or free fall on hearing this news about Southern Comfit' Does this also mean less dead heads from Liverpool council estates going to Bulgaria.
Comments by Dr. Jean Barlow - 13:31 02 Aug 2005
	It was only a matter of time before it came out: Sankey was paid to confess. This was the mobs only hope to get Michael off the horendous crime that he commited whilst in a drugged and drunken rage that night in Golden Sands. This type of thing is very common in the UK amongst organised crime syndicates and football hooligans. Now it all makes sense. This is why the united hooligan gang who have been supporting Michael have not replied to the countless appeals to send Sankey back over to Bulgaria. I do feel for Michaels friends and family as it must be very hard for them. Hopefully Michaels case will act as a deterent for this type of behaviour.
Comments by peter - 13:34 02 Aug 2005
	Dr. Barlow. Lets not speculate too much. Although this is a distinct possibility, we can not be sure of this. Time will tell. If Sankey goes back to Bulgaria, then we know Michael is innocent. If he remains in the UK, well, stranger things have happened.
Comments by Not Liverpool - 13:35 02 Aug 2005
	Oh my god maybe we should get the open top bus over to Varna ,Bulgaria to protest... and at the same time intimidate the other witnesses who were brave enough to go too court and speak up !!!
Comments by liverpool - 13:43 02 Aug 2005
	TO rloxley ARE YOU THICK !, YOU DO NOT KNOW MICHAEL SHIELDS IS GUILTY FOR A FACT. WE KNOW HE IS INNOCENT FOR A FACT FULL STOP. NO ONE IN THE RIGHT MIND WOULD SAY IT WAS THEM WHO DID IT IF THEY DIDNT. MICHAEL DOES NOT KNOW SANKEY SO WHY ON EARTH WOULD SANKEY COVER FOR MICHAEL. SANKEY IS NOW A HATED MAN IN LIVERPOOL, HE HAS HAD TO MOVE OUT OF HIS FAMILY HOME AND HE & HIS FAMILY ARE IN HIDING, SO WHY WOULD HE BRING THAT ON HIS FAMILY IF HE IS NOT THE PERSON WHO DID THIS AWFUL CRIME ! ARE YOU rloxley A WITNESS WHO LYED IN COURT AND GETTING A BIT SCARD NOW ! I WOULD BE IF YOU ARE ! THE SHIELDS FAMILY ARE VERY CLOSE TO GETTING THE INFORMATION THEY NEED, WHICH WILL SEE MICHAEL FREED AND BACK HOME WERE HE BELONGS.
Comments by Pravda - 13:55 02 Aug 2005
	I am also sure Sankey was paid to confess. This I also agree was the mobs only hope to get Michael off the horendous crime that he commited whilst in a drugged and drunken rage that night in Golden Sands. This type of thing definetly is very common in the UK amongst organised crime syndicates and football hooligans. Absolutely true, 14 years probably not enough !!! Far to long the Kebab shop fight after the pubs and night clubs have closed has been a feature of British Life... Looking at the retorts from the signatory Liverpool I reckon the Bulgarians have got not only the sentence right but It should be admitted by the football horde the right man...
Comments by knox - 15:54 02 Aug 2005
	It does seem strange that the Liverpool fans have not sent Sankey back. It does make their entire arguement look very suspicious indeed.
Comments by The Truth - 08:49 03 Aug 2005
	It's funny how the British distort the facts. The story is plain and simple - Michael got drunk as it is typical for all British soccer fans, and got wild and threw a brick at a Bulgarian bar tender doing his job. Everybody was thinking - "well this is not a big deal, after all, all this happened in Bulgaria and since our boy is British, they'll let it slide." Yeah but this time Bulgarians didn't let it slide and locked up the "Superior British". So everybody now is like "what! Those low lives locked up one of ours? What are they thinking?! This is impossible! Hell no! No EU for them!" This is exactly what is happening with the British right now and it is obvious from the ignorant comments they are posting on here. But, I ain't surprised at all that they think they are superior. After all, this is what made GB the greatest slave master of all times and having the past of a slave master is not cool at all these days. Ask any white anglo saxon (hence British) in America. Oh and in regards to the Bulgarian contribution to the world culture: doggy you just showed everybody how ignorant you are. Matter fact, you are banned from eating yogurt and cheeze for the rest of your life.
Comments by BOTT JAM - 11:31 03 Aug 2005
	NO JUSTICE IN BULGARIA.COM.AU
Comments by Lino Cachia - 11:36 03 Aug 2005
	I am not british but still a liverpool supporter. Yesterday i was talking to a bulgarian employee in my factory and ylu know what his reaction was"what do you expect fron Bulgaria". At first i was strateled but this is the view of all his friends here. Yes bulgaria is still backward in justice but its citizens know it if they are not paid up to do so.In my country there is already some anti bulgarian sentiments do not give more flame to this by such stupid falsing of justie
Comments by nzl@ujic.net - 11:42 03 Aug 2005
	all new zealand football supporters support liverpool supporter in this unfortunate event and request that they will have the way and means to sign a petition to the bulgarian authorities. We are also pressuing our govt. to enquire about situation of democracy in bulgaria.
Comments by cska - 11:46 03 Aug 2005
	i am a CSKA Sofia fan and you have to know that Micheal Shields has the support of all CSKA fans,and we will show our support ot the 10th in the match against you. I can inform you what is going on with this case. now there is an article that says:"The Bulgarian minister of justice wants to talk personally with Graham Sankey" i understand you all,boys,but you have to understand that the words of Sankey mean nothing by the court until he is in england,the court can not let Shields go until Sankey isnt here to speak in front of the court
Comments by kopite - 11:48 03 Aug 2005
	http://www.ynwa.tv/michael.jpg Please help raise awareness in the Fight for Justice
Comments by Patricia Hewitt - 12:24 03 Aug 2005
	Does anyone know what Michael gets for grub in that new Hotel he is staying at in Varna ? He has rights you know ? He is a UK Citizen Breakfast: served between 8.00 and 8.30 am Caviar on toast perhaps ? Lunch: served between 12.00 and 13.00 Poached Salmon or soup of the day ? Evening Meal: served 18.00 to 19.30 Venison with mange tout and other steamed vegitables. Followed on with a delicate strawberry pavlova. (best Bulgarian and French Wines on offer of course, corkage charge at discretion). The British Embassy will see to all ...we cannot have one of our boys ...especially if he is from Liverpool eating horrible yogurt and manky cheeses.. with the rest of those Bulgarians while he is in the country.
Comments by Pravda - 14:15 03 Aug 2005
	An Open E-mail To Her Majesties Britanic Embassy in Sofia Bulgaria.(I am sure you have been looking at these comments Peter !) Dear Hilary Arthur, I know you (your embassy) have done things in the past ...like given out UK Visa's and passports to several prominent Bulgarian figures or their spouses (ie Mrs Konstantin...)suspected of ... illegal narcotic / money laundering activities etc etc. It has also been proven you have even given UK Work Permits to one legged roofers to pursue their profession in the UK.... Now is the time to use your influence such as pay back in order by put pressure on the Bulgarian Justice system to get Michael Sheilds back to the UK..Without Graham Sankey returningto Bulgaria
Comments by MK - 15:31 03 Aug 2005
	Dear Mrs. Patricia Hewit: I should personally see that Michael gets the proper treatment while at his "Hotel" in Varna. He should be enjoying the meals proper to noone lesser than a British royalty because that's really what he is. And I will make sure he doesn't rub shoulders with "those Bulgarians" there. So now, that you know he's well taken care of, you and the rest of the UK should lay off from the "Let Michael Go Home" campaign and let him enjoy his stay in Varna for the next 15 years, as he trully deserves.
Comments by Anton - 16:42 03 Aug 2005
	Please read the motives for the court's decision. There are many interesting things to read there!!
Comments by LIVERPOOL - 01:11 04 Aug 2005
	I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT GRAHAM SANKEY IS NOT A HATED MAN IN LIVERPOOL AT ALL..THERE IS LOTS OF SPECULATION ABOUT THIS CASE BUT I DOUBT NO ONE REALLY KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED NOR WHY MR SANKEY MADE THAT "CONFESSION" BUT I MUST ADMIT SINCE READING THIS SO CALLED CONFESSION IT HAS DEFINATLEY GIVEN ME ROOM FOR THOUGHT..WAS THIS THE SAME GUY? DID HE RUN OF AND THE BRAWL CONTINUED?WHY WAS HE RECIEVING DEATH THREATS?? AND LIKE ANY TRIAL INNOCENT UNTILL PROVEN GUILTY!! I FEEL SYMPATHY FOR MICHAEL, GRAHAM, AND BOTH FAMILIES AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THE BULGARIAN BARMAN WHO WAS THE REAL VICTIM IN ALL THIS.....WHAT A BIG MESS!!!!!
Comments by Paddy in Dublin - 10:45 04 Aug 2005
	It is sad to see that the bulgarian justice system is so biased that even when the guilty party is identified, it still goes ahead and convicts a young guy from Liverpool. My friends and I have just cancelled our trips to bulgaria planned for later in the year and doubt very much if we will ever go there now. I thought injustice only occured in dictator run countrys like Zimbabwe and Burma. Now is the opportunity to grant bail and try to make the best of this situation but still it goes on. We in Ireland are thinking about you Michael and as for Graham Sankly, well your time will come....
Comments by Garda Síochána - 12:08 04 Aug 2005
	Your Irish Brothers Feel Sorry For You !Jesus lock the the piss pots up ! both of them !! Feel sorry for those drug pushing ejits !! GET A LIFE YOU STUPID PADDY FROM DUBLIN
Comments by john brownrigg - 12:35 04 Aug 2005
	shame on bulgaria, and I am not a brit. We will treat bulgarians who work here the same way as your justice and e mails suggest. you are insulting everyone english,irish etc by the way I am from Malta. Then add us too to your hate list,clowns.
Comments by pullu l kabir - 12:40 04 Aug 2005
	To: Bulgarian/British Governments Michael Shields was today (26th July 2005) jailed for 15 years after a Bulgarian court found him guilty of a crime he did not commit. The 18-year-old was convicted of a charge of attempted murder even though another man confessed to the crime. The court in Varna refused to accept Graham Sankey's statement that he slammed a paving stone onto waiter Martin Georgiev's head at the resort of Golden Sands in May. Michael was returning to Liverpool via Bulgaria after attending the European cup Final in Istanbul. We would urge as many people as possible to sign the petition campaigning for his immediate release as it is clear a tragic miscarriage of justice has taken place. I direct this in particular at the British Government and urge them to continue to lobby their Bulgarian counterparts to secure Michaels' release. Sincerely,
Comments by anton Levi Bloom- Israel - 13:15 04 Aug 2005
	To Free Michael, or Not... The reaction to the sentencing of Britain’s Michael Shields displays again that in the eyes of the outside world this country has one of the lowest forms of judicial system this side of the Congo River... Although I believe that Bulgaria has every right to put violent criminals behind bars for as long as it pleases the courts, this should be done according to international standards. If you read the accounts of this case, even the hotel reception staff had witnessed seeing him go to his room hours before the crime was committed and according to other sources the accused had not been given any of the statutory rights usually extended to the worst kind of domestic criminals. I would highly recommend that the current or future Government take a close look at this case as this scandal will not soon go away (even if Mr. Shields is extradited to the UK) since this case has caught the imagination and passion of the citizens of Liverpool and no doubt soon the rest of the UK. In the meantime, another Brit has claimed responsibility for this crime and this apparently was also ignored by the court. I believe that Mr. Graham Sankey, who claimed to be guilty, should be a real man and get on the first flight to Bulgaria and stand up for his deeds instead of letting an innocent man take the blame. The Bulgarian police might have it wrong, but then all British hooligans look alike... If Mr.Sankey doesn’t show up I believe that the Bulgarian Government should put an arrest warrant out for him through Europol. People are being extradited from the UK for much lesser crimes. Football hooliganism is as much a crime to mankind as any kind of terrorism. Well done sofia echo. I read this on your e mail gazette.
Comments by rebecca - 13:25 04 Aug 2005
	Keep strong Michael, we all suport you and we know you will be home soon, keep your head up mate. MICHAEL SHIELDS IS INOCENT! RELEASE HIM NOW!!!!
Comments by phil collins liverpool - 13:26 04 Aug 2005
	you will soon be home lad keep strong were all thinkin of ya.youll never walk alone
Comments by lisa greene - 13:28 04 Aug 2005
	To maria Michael melissa Laura and the rest of the family are thoughts are with you.michael we know you are inocent.You will soon be home with your family were you belongvery soon.Keep your chin up.
Comments by casper from alborg denmark - 13:30 04 Aug 2005
	I don't know what to write. I'm choked. This is a weird world. How can the some people do this to a innocent lad. You must be strong Michael. You'll never walk alone!
Comments by heyley - 13:32 04 Aug 2005
	Cant believe Michael has not been released yet!! An innocent man in jail for a crime he did not commit! Thinking of Michael, his family and friends at this terrible, be strong Michael the whole of Liverpool are behind you x x x
Comments by Jay New York - 13:36 04 Aug 2005
	I'm outraged at the Michael Shields verdict & thanks to the posting on the LFC board last week, I was able to convey that to the president of Bulgaria. Haven't done anything since, though, cuz I thought action would be taken soon, but now that doesn't seem likely. I'm considering e-mailing Senator Clinton (with a copy to the Bulgarian embassy in DC)asking her to bring the case to the attention of the US govt. I'd like to ask the readers of this board (in particular, anyone close to the Shields family), though, what they think. Is this a good idea, or would a bunch of Yanks sticking their nose in be counter-productive? If people feel positive, then I'd urge all LFC supporters in the US (particularly those in the northeast where our senators, Clinton in NY, Kennedy & Kerry in Mass are known internationally)to contact their federal reps, urging them to help FREE MISCHEAL SHIELDS. YNWA
Comments by matthew frendo gozo - 13:38 04 Aug 2005
	Release Micheal as soon as possible. This lad has a future in front of him and would be a big loss if you keep on persisting not release him. He's innocent and others have declared their guilt so why this unnecessary delay?? Please you British do make it a point and don't travel to Bulgaria and invest in Bulgaria unless this innocent person is freed.
Comments by John Higgins - 13:41 04 Aug 2005
	thousands of liverpool supporters in Australia support you . you never walk alone. Shame on Bulgarian justice. YNWA
Comments by TOFFEE - 13:45 04 Aug 2005
	if they can do this to an obviously innocent michael,who knows how many other innocent people are locked up in that country,if lfc play there on wed i hope the fans either boycott it or the ones who do go do a peaceful demo or something they'll take note of,it took my relative a lot of hard work physically and financially to get her brother from a thai jail(different and petty to what michael was accused of,but lengthy stretch given anyway) she ended up changing the law for a first amnesty in two countries along the way,we all know you'll keep on at the authorities and wont ever give up fighting this,it could be a long haul but it will work,thinking of you all,goodluck.)
Comments by KATRINA - 13:48 04 Aug 2005
	It seems to me Michael is being held hostage. Boycott Bulgaria till he is freed.
Comments by BYSTANDER FROM SOFIA - 13:54 04 Aug 2005
	It's quite obvious Michael is innocent. People can't be kept in jail for something they didn't do. Do you have any evidence that the poor little chap is innocent? Why don't you go the court in Bulgaria and testify then? If Bulgaria want to be part of the EU they have to realise that. Realise WHAT? That the Brittons are untouchable? Don't lose heart, Micheal, everybody believes you're innocent. Frankly, I believe it too. But I understand the court position - they were presented the evidence(s) that are credible enough to convince the court that Michael is guilty. And according to the Bulgarian (and UK too!) law, a confession of a crime is only valid if made _in the court_. They can't keep you there. Any reason why not? Just because he is innocent? Then you have no idea how many innocent people are in prisons all over the world (UK included).
Comments by dIAN rAKADJEV bulgaria sofia - 13:56 04 Aug 2005
	speaking as bulgarian i'm ashamed of my country right now but i still have faith that you will be out for the game in Sofia against CSKA.YNWA Sankey should stand a trial in Bulgaria think of the poor lad who got hurt trying stop a fight He has got 2 old kid --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comments by kay - 13:58 04 Aug 2005
	B strong lad!!! YNWA, the red army is behind yer u r in our thoughts n prays. Chin up, stay strong brave fella, wont b long now!!!! god bless xxxxxxx kay xxxxxx --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comments by thom halifax canada - 14:01 04 Aug 2005
	KEEP YOUR HEAD UP HIGH AND DONT BE AFRAID. WALK ON WITH HOPE IN YOUR HEART COS ULL NEVER WALK ALONE. MATE LIVERPOOL WILL NOT LET YOU AND ULL BE IN THE COP NEXT SEASON WERE YOU BELONG.
Comments by alison-ireland - 14:06 04 Aug 2005
	It's quite obvious Michael is innocent. People can't be kept in jail for something they didn't do. If Bulgaria want to be part of the EU they have to realise that. Don't lose heart, Micheal, everybody believes you're innocent. They can't keep you there.
Comments by Byrone Pretria South Africa - 14:09 04 Aug 2005
	I'm from South-Africa and find this state of affairs surrounding Michael’s arrest and imprisonment baffling and totally appalling!!! Best wishes to him and his family and I hope for his safe return. YNWA --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comments by Cherie Blair - 14:41 04 Aug 2005
	SEE WHAT DID I TELL YOU!!! AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE COMMENTS MADE WE BRITISH AND ESPECIALLY THOSE FROM THE EUROPEAN CITY OF CULTURE LIVERPOOL COULD NOT COMMIT SUCH AN ACT... THIS WAITER /SILANGER CHAPPIE IS NOT TELLING THE TRUTH ! Hang on Michael ! Youwill soon be home to bacon buttie away for ever from simple yogurt and Goat cheese.
Comments by Anton - 15:25 04 Aug 2005
	I can't believe how fast people here come to conclusions. Reading the motives of the court, I believe there is evidence to sentence Michael. This, however, does not mean that he is REALLY guilty.But as you know the truth of the court VERY OFTEN is nopt the real truth. SO please be more tolerant to the Bulgarian judicial system. It is a decent country and on average people there are much more intelligent that the people in England. First hand experience. The only way out is that Graham confesses in front of the court. I personally believe he has nothing to confess but I might be wrong. For one, I do not come to fast conclusions typical for the comments here.
Comments by fabio valenti - 15:40 04 Aug 2005
	in my country when there is a miscarrage of justice we call it Corte Bulgara or better bulgarian court. It seems we are right Forza Italia
Comments by elvin fred - 15:46 04 Aug 2005
	Just cancelled my hoiliday trip with 45 school kids, bulgaria seems not to be safe for kids especially europeans etc. I solicit all commonwealth contries to follow suit. Fiji Waterpolo School
Comments by Anton - 15:57 04 Aug 2005
	Fabio and Elvin, your reaction just confirms my previous words. Fast conclusions, no facts mentioned, just spitting.....And let us not talk about corta bulgara or italiana. There are SO MANY things which go wrong in the judicial system in every country. Aren't you ashamed you are italian? Well, you should be. See, it is easy to talk 'en gros, no facts, just statements. It is really ridiculous!'
Comments by MK - 17:42 04 Aug 2005
	I think a lot of people on here don't know the facts. I suggest before you involve Senator Clinton and Kerry, canscel your trips and sell your vacation/retirement house in Bulgaria, you do a little more research on this case. I, and a lot of other Bulgarian have been following the case from the beginning. I claim to have read a lot of arctiles and the trial documentation that is posted on-line now. Just becasuse somebody confessed and ran hiding does not mean S**T. There are so many instances when this has been done to release somebody. It's easy to confess something when you are not within the jurisdiction of the court. Sankey knows that until he's in the UK nothing can happen to him. There was a good example in one of the forums: "I can go to China (for example) and say I did it". No court, no matter where it is in ITALY, NY, SOUTH AFRICA, or wherever everyone on this forum is, will accept this as an evidence. I suggest you read the court justification saying that 9 people including the victim has identified MICHAEL SHIELDS as the person throwing the slab. Not only that, but the reason the porter never saw Michael leaving, is because he used the side door of the hotel. I'm sick and tired of ignorants saying stuff without knowing the truth.
Comments by MK - 19:26 04 Aug 2005
	This is to everybody who also reads the Liverpool Echo. I am disgusted at how one-sided, arrogant and short-sighted that parody of a newspaper is. I have tried to post several times on their forum but my posts were edited and cut off, some of them did not even make it on their forum. So way to go British press, way to show your objectivity and clear reasonings. I want to thank the Sofia Echo for being so objective and presenting all sides of this matter. I also want to encourage all Bulgarians to not give in, because no one can insult and blackmail us. NO ONE
Comments by Eric Thribble - 00:38 05 Aug 2005
	Bulgaria is a fine country, rightly famed for its excellent cheese and yoghurt It would be a great shame if relations between the citizens of Liverpool (a cultural bunch) and their Black Sea cousins were to be soured by this unfortunate incident. For my part I am unable to discern where the truth lies in all this. The folowing questions occur to me: Is the only direct evidence against Shields the identification evidence of the injured barman? Why was Shields singled out by the Police? Was Sankey interviewed by the Police; and if so why was he eliminated from their inquiries?Do Shields and Sankey look similar? If there was a brawl then presumably there were a few witnesses; who are they and what do they say? I find it hard to believe that the only evidence against Sankey is his own confession (either the oral one on the plane or the later written one)? Do Sankey and Sheilds have any connection, were they friends? It also occurs to me that the Bulagarian authorities now regard the case as closed, ie Shields is guilty. If that be the case then why would they want to extradite Sankey. It may be different if Shields wins any appeal.
Comments by Truthseeker - 14:14 05 Aug 2005
	Graham Sankey from Liverpool was questioned by the Bulgarian police. He denies any participation in the street fight. Also he had a steady alibi, fixed in the police protocol. Michael was recognised by the victim and 9 eyewitnesses, as the person who dump down quite a big piece of rock at the head of the defenceless victim. The form and the way Sankey’s “confession” was introduced to the court couldn’t had any legal value in Bulgaria, as well in Britain too, this is clear for every layer, other statements are naïve and only spread dust at public eyes. The facts mentioned in Sankey’s confess are fully irrelevant to these declared by other witnesses and Michael himself. It is only a matter of time before it came out: Sankey was paid to confess! This was the mobs only hope to get Michael off the horrendous crime that he committed whilst in a drugged and drunken rage that night in Golden Sands. This type of thing is very common amongst organised football fans (not only Britons), especially when they are abroad they feel untouchable. Now it all makes sense. This is why the united Liverpool football fans, who have been supporting Michael, have not replied to the countless appeals to send Sankey back over to Bulgaria. I do feel for Michael’s friends and family as it must be very hard for them. I really hope that Michael is innocent, but this must be proved to the Bulgarian court. Hopefully Michael’s case will act as a deterrent for this type of behaviour not only for Britons, but anyone.
Comments by Johnny - 16:33 06 Aug 2005
	The liverpool mob terrorised Golden Sands. The IRA terrorised the UK. The Bulgarians locked up the wrong man to send out a message that this behaviour would not go unanswered. The British locked up hundereds of innocent men, beat them and forced confessions to please these same idiotic northern thickheads who believe everything they read in the Sun or ol Vince from down the local tells them after 14 pints. The Guildford 4, the Birmingham 6, the Maguire 7. All of these men went through hell at the hands of the ALMIGHTY BRITISH just beacuse they were paddys. If anyone would disagree with me, then more examploes of gross miscarriages of justice in Britain can be supplied. STILL DOES MAKE IT RIGHT THOUGH. If Sankey is the guilty one, send him back if he doesnt go back then maybe all those witnesses who saw Michael do it are to be believed. The main thing is that the Scouser f_cks who were egging the poor lads on should hang their heads and shame! (you know who you are, you are bad old men and this is all your fault - I saw you all in action that night!!)
Comments by harley - 20:48 07 Aug 2005
	I was just reading the article about Bulgaria and Romania not being allowed membership in the E.U. until the reform in the penal/courts systems of both countries have taken place. This comes as no suprise to the supporters of Michael Shields, a innocent man is sentenced to 15 years for a crime another man has clearly carried out , with the man in questions admission of guilt, it appears that Michael Shields is being kept as a hostage until a swap can be arranged for Sankey, (the guilty man) it all comes over like a third rate spy novel. As the hotel porter saw Shields enter his room at 2am and not leave, until taken by the police( the attack took place at 5am) if you had kept Sankey and the Varna police had him and let him go, you would not be facing the outcry from so many quarters. Everyone knows Sankey did it his family his friends even his solictor, the people he travelled with, they might not have seen him throw the paving slab but his confession and behaviour have convinced the people of Liverpool of his guilt.
Comments by a3ureBG - 16:47 09 Aug 2005
	What would happen to a bulgarian turrist assaulting and severely harming a british citizen? Don't need to tell me, I know. As long as you do nothing but threat you're not really helping your guy out.
Comments by Bye - 23:03 09 Aug 2005
	I don`t like what Blair wrote. I see you "Beattles" don`t respect Bulgaria and bulgarians ,but there is no problem with that.I don`t respect Brits too.Not all Brits are bad people ,most are just fat and stupid,easily manipulated by the media, tax payers .Well that ain`t my problem since I live in Bulgaria.But it is unacceptable for me some British punk coming to my country ,getting drunk and drugged and then smashing the head of a peaceful bulgarian who was there doing his job ,and only trying to stop a quarrel between Liverpool fans.I don`t know if smashing heads while dtugged as hell is normal in your country ,but here we consider this a crime ,that s why your favourite Michael gets a sentence.Then the stupid "Sun" whose main benefit as long as I know is scandal decides to raise its circulation (the number of sold newspapers -my english is not so good ,no matter)by declaring Michael is innocent and bulgarians are bad people whose only purpose in life is getting "innocent" english hooligans in jail.I saw Michael Shields on tv.You may think he is a tough guy after smashing the head of a bulgarian but I can tell you that guy is a pussy.I`m absolutely sure he did it ,because he is from that kind of people who feel strong while in group.But when he was in court,without haseesh he looked like if he had wet his pants,and when the guards took him out of the court he started crying like a little baby-he wanted his mommy.The man who smashed the head of a peaceful worker(father of two children) with a 4 kilogram block now looked as a baby.I don`t think that a person in normal mental health would support such a criminal and want him out after what he has done ,but i see there are many people in Britain who do.If I were you I would stop buying "the Sun" and stop watching BBC -they are just washing your brains.Bulgaria is a normal country,and bulgarian court is not worse than any british court.We also have a problem with our citizens sentenced in Lybia so I know haw you feel,you weren`t there at that night ,so you can support any version ,but bulgarian court is not like the court of Lybia or Afghanistan or Turkey ,so since they had the evidences and they found this guy guilty I believe them.Bulgarian court doesn`t have the least interest in charging an inocent Brit ,believe that !
Comments by Saptarshi Kar - 06:24 01 Mar 2006
	This is typical anglo-saxon reaction to something which hurts their ego. Similar thing happened in Indonesia when this drug peddler schappele corby was given life sentence all these redneck freckled face ugly anglo-saxons made demands that australian tourists should boycott bali in two weeks time guess what there were shortages of flights to get passengers to bali since the demand was so high. So if u r bulgarian just neglect these rednecks as they are born to be slaves of USA just like tony blair whose status is nothing but to be a dog of george bush and also deal with impuinity with that redneck who did the act if u dont know how to do it ask singapore government they will tell u how.