Bulgarian judges refuse Australian bail
January 9, 2008 - 11:03AM
An Australian man accused of fatally stabbing a man and seriously wounding another in Bulgaria has been refused bail by local judges.
Three judges in the south-eastern European country's capital Sofia refused Jock Palfreeman's plea to be released on bail while police continue investigations into the alleged attacks.
The Sydney man was charged with murder over the death of 20-year-old law student Andrei Monov, who was stabbed in the heart during a street brawl in Sofia in the early hours of December 28.
He was also charged with attempted murder over the stabbing of a 19-year-old man during the same fight.
Palfreeman, 21, denies both charges.
The judges refused to release Palfreeman on bail after police prosecutors told the court they were still examining video footage of the alleged attack captured on security cameras.
Prosecutors also argued that they feared Palfreeman would flee Bulgaria if he was granted bail.
Palfreeman appeared calm during his brief court appearance, which his father Simon flew from Australia to attend.
In making his application for bail, Palfreeman and his lawyers were highly critical of the police investigation into the alleged attacks, accusing them of failing to interview several independent witnesses.
Palfreeman said there was no danger he would leave Bulgaria if granted bail because he had no money to travel.
He also complained that he had not had enough time to discuss his case with his lawyer.
In an earlier court appearance, Palfreeman said while he had been carrying a knife he pulled it out only to defend himself and two friends from a group of football hooligans who were attacking another man and then turned on him.
If found guilty, Palfreeman could face life in prison.
Bulgarian officials believe Palfreeman arrived in the country on December 22 to visit friends.
AAP
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