SHARP BRITISH PROTEST

Chronicle (Levin), 27 September 1947, Page 5

SHARP BRITISH PROTEST

, (N.Z.P.A.—

- Reuter .

Trial Of Petkov A Travesty Of Justice

Casijriaht)

Received Friday, 8.4(J p.m. LODDON, Sept. 26. Britain, in a note of protest to Bulgaria, said the trial of Petkov was a travesty of justice, tlie cirriuustances eonfinned tlie sinister impression tliat the Bulgariau Govermueut was deteiymined to extinguish the last vestiges of libertv in Bulgaria. Petkov, in the British Government's opinion, died for the cause for which he had always fouglit— the right of men to hold and 'express political eonvictions Vording to persoual couscienees. Pet- * .ov 's execution was yet anotlier example of the nse of judicial murder to get rid of people .who did not agree with their Goveniruent, a procedure incompatible with deinocracy. The iiote pointed out that Petkov was executed a week after the Bulgarian peace treatv was ratilied. The evidenee introduced to the court was Hearly iusuffictont. Tlie three .Judges and two Ktate prosecutois were liiembers of the t'onununist Partv. The proseeution spueclies wero political attacks 011 Petkov and aniounted to nolhing niore than that he was oppesed to the Governnient. The three del'euce lawyers were arrested and lield until it was iinpossible to participate in the trial. Political pressure was clearly (ironght to bear on niany witnesses and tlie court refused to hear others on the ground that the evidence was without interest. The note said the British Governnient and people were proi'oumlly shocked by the proceedings which tliey regard not as a genuine trial by due legal pro cesses but an attu>-k ou an individual bocause of liis ]iolitical opinjons. The trial, in fact, was oue niore nianoeuvre in a general caiupaign 011 which the present Bulgarian Governnient appeared to liave embarked, to establ'iSh in Bulgaria a regime cont rolled by a minority party and stilie all those holding otlier views. . "No stronger protest nor oue niore justified by the known facts, lias ever been niade by oue Governnient to an otlier," says the Daily Telegraph in a Jeader when coinnient ing on the Britisli note to Bulgaria. The paper adds: "The right to protest in such strong ternis cannot iie ipiestioned. Jt arises out. of the peace treaty will Bulgaria under which ihe Bulgarian Governnient undertook to seeure to all its subjeets t.h e enjoynient of humaii rights. Were it not so sain-t ioned, lniinanity would call for such iinlignatioii as the British note exprosses. at the parody of justice of which a simere patriot lias been niade," the victini."