19-year-old Abdullah El Rustum is captured on 3 October at the Bulgarian-Turkish border fence falling on the ground after a gunshot enters his hand and chest.
Bulgaria has been accused of shooting a refugee following the release of a new video showing a young Syrian man being fired upon at the Turkish border.
It is the first footage of an asylum seeker being shot at the EU border with live ammo.
Lighthouse Reports, The Times, Le Monde, ARD Studio Wien, Domani, and RFE/RL Bulgaria conducted a combined investigation on the matter.
19-year-old Abdullah El Rustum is captured on 3 October at the Bulgarian-Turkish border fence falling on the ground after a gunshot enters his hand and chest.
He asserts that he was shot by Bulgarian border agents after they apprehended his party unlawfully entering the country and returned them to Turkey.
“A green van carrying two Bulgarian officers arrived. As it approached, [they] began firing into the air. They fired twice in the air and then began firing directly in front of us on the ground “he stated.
“We remained fearless and continued to emphasize that this is unacceptable. ‘Why did you do this?’ After that, I was shot squarely in the chest.”
He continued, “How he fired at me was deliberate, and he intended to kill me.”
Bulgaria is a member of the European Union and aims to join the Schengen area, which permits the free movement of persons within its borders.
The nation is frequently utilized as a gateway to other European nations.
Women conducted sexual searches
Mr. El Rustum claims an altercation ensued when border agents “sexually” searched ladies in the group.
On video captured by a mobile phone, a group of asylum seekers can be seen hurling stones toward the border fence and cursing from the Turkish side.
The tension then escalates, and a loud explosion reverberates throughout the forest.
The shooter cannot be seen clearly, however it is known that the Bulgarian border forces were present with the migrants.
As part of the investigation, the footage was transferred to audio forensics specialist Steven Beck for analysis.
The file’s waveform and spectrum were compatible with a muzzle explosion from a small handgun shot in the direction of the recorder, according to his analysis.
Refugees “cast stones”
In the footage, the camera operator is towards the Bulgarian border.
According to photos released by the Bulgarian interior ministry, refugees’ stone-throwing caused damage.
According to the Sredets Border Police Station’s statement, a border officer was hurt by a stone.
According to the administration, the gang burned stuff and was confrontational and aggressive.
It states that an investigation determined “no shots were fired from our side.”
Illegal immigration is a significant issue in Bulgaria.
According to official estimates, between January 1 and November 27, 153,460 persons attempted to cross the Bulgarian-Turkish border, which is more than four times the number for the same period last year.
The Bulgarian interior ministry asserts that “aggression by foreign nationals against GDBP [General Directorate Border Police] officers has increased significantly in recent years,” adding that border guards at the fence were attacked with stones and flammable objects, injuring colleagues and causing property damage.
According to the statement, two interior ministry policemen recently perished in Burgas while attempting to halt a bus carrying illegal immigrants.
“An unsettling trend of threats”
The increase in illegal immigration has also created worries about the wrongful deportation of individuals.
In January of this year, the UN refugee chief warned of a “worrisome pattern of threats, intimidation, and violence” along the EU’s central and southern borders.
According to the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, pushbacks involve “a variety of state tactics aimed at driving refugees and migrants out of their territory while restricting access to applicable legal and procedural frameworks.”
We traveled to the region near where Mr. El Rustum was shot in an attempt to locate Bulgaria-bound travelers.
We quickly observed indications of asylum seekers on the move.
We discovered impromptu resting places scattered with bottles, energy drinks, clothing, and Syrian snacks before our long hike through impenetrable woodlands.
“It’s preferable to being dead”
We came upon a fearful group of Syrians who informed us they were seeking a fresh life in Europe after fleeing their country’s civil conflict.
After earning their confidence, they shared their stories with us.
A 15-year-old showed us scars on his side and head, which he claimed were caused by beatings by Bulgarian authorities during a failed border crossing. He was making his eighth effort.
“We once crossed the border, and the Bulgarian police arrested us and began beating us,” he explained.
“They unleashed dogs on us and then sent us back clad just in shorts and without clothing.”
Two weeks ago, he allegedly witnessed Bulgarian authorities shoot someone in the leg as they attempted to flee. Others within the group discussed systemic abuse.
A man named Kenan claimed he was once part of a group that was arrested and driven to a wilderness.
“They placed us in a hut and stripped us naked. They then abandoned us with a dog.”
We inquired as to whether he feared additional violence on his next attempt.
“It is preferable to death. It is preferable to death “He stated, about the battle in Syria.
More must be done
And this is the reality: when leaving a war at home, the majority will risk being beaten abroad.
The European Commission told that all border management must be founded on the principles of non-refoulment and respect for human dignity.
According to Anitta Hipper, the EU Commission’s spokesperson for home affairs, any complaints of violence or pushbacks should be probed by national authorities.
EU interior ministers met at the end of November to discuss the situation along all migration routes and the difficulties posed.
“We have taken a lot of steps in recent years to collectively handle the migratory difficulties we face,” said Vit Rakusan, Czech interior minister and representative of the EU Council chair.
However, more can and should be done to discover more sustainable solutions and adapt to the situation’s constant evolution.
The Bulgarian government dismisses the charges, asserting that it complies with international and domestic rules, and adding that aggressiveness against border officials is on the rise.
“Bulgarian security personnel, with the assistance of Frontex, are on the front lines every day to defend all European citizens,” the ministry of the interior stated.
On the outskirts of Europe, however, threats, violence, and intimidation are constantly employed.
