Last Updated: Friday, 26 May 2023, 13:32 GMT

Afghan migrant killed in scuffle with Bulgarian border patrol

Publisher Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Publication Date 16 October 2015
Cite as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Afghan migrant killed in scuffle with Bulgarian border patrol, 16 October 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56813c6612.html [accessed 27 May 2023]
DisclaimerThis is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

October 16, 2015

An Afghan migrant was shot dead October 15 in a scuffle between Bulgarian border authorities and a group of migrants believed to be from Afghanistan, Bulgarian government authorities said.

A fight and exchange of gunfire broke out after border authorities tried to seize around 40 illegal immigrants who had crossed the border from Turkey.

All of the migrants were men, some of them armed, authorities said. The migrant who was shot died on his way to the hospital. An investigation is under way.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov was informed of the incident while in Brussels at a European Union summit focused on Europe's migration crisis. He left the talks early.

"Prime Minister Borissov informed me just before he left and, for me, it's the next argument [for] how important our discussion was tonight," EU President Donald Tusk said.

"The protection of our external borders is the main priority today, and of course Mr. Borissov is absolutely aware that we are ready to help them."

Based on reporting by dpa and AFP

Link to original story on RFE/RL website

Copyright notice: Copyright (c) 2007-2009. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036

Search Refworld

Countries