Jock Palfreeman denied parole on 20-year Bulgarian murder sentence

Sydney private school alumni Jock Palfreeman had scathing words for Bulgarian prosecutors and his prison bosses as he was denied parole on his murder sentence.

Australian Jock Palfreeman inside Sofia Prison where he is serving time for murder. Picture: Supplied

Sydney private school alumni Jock Palfreeman criticised Bulgarian prosecutors and his prison bosses as he lost a bid for parole on his murder sentence.

Palfreeman, who is serving a 20-year term, spoke in Bulgarian to the Sofia City Court in the country’s capital as he applied for parole on Wednesday.

He now has seven days to decide if he will appeal the rejection.

Palfreeman said he was being treated unfairly because he had been organising prisoners into a union to fight for their rights.

“The Bulgarian prosecutors and the director of Sofia prison contradict each other. I have never used physical violence in prison, I have always used legal means only in order to appeal orders and punishments against me. They interpret this as being hostile, “ he told judge Nikolay Mladenov.

Aussie murderer’s freedom bid fails

‘David Hicks got more support than me’

Aussie tourists’ jail cell hell

Jock Palfreeman, now 32, appears in court in Sofia, Bulgaria to apply for parole. Picture: Supplied.

Jock Palfreeman inside Sofia Prison. Picture: Supplied

“When I see an injustice, I submit a complaint which is a legal means, there is also a decision in Strasbourg (European Court of Human Rights) in my defence but even this does not mean anything for Bulgaria prosecutors and prison administration.”

Palfreeman went on a hunger strike in April to protest his prison conditions but appeared well in court, wearing a suit and striking red tie. He had a neat hair cut and removed a straggly beard.

Bulgarian law student Andrei Monov was stabbed to death in a clash with Jock Palfreeman in 2007. Picture: Supplied

The 32-year old was convicted in 2009 of the stabbing murder of Andrei Monov, 20, and the attempted murder of Anton Zahariev in 2007.

The former student at Sydney’s prestigious St Ignatius Riverview and The King’s Schools was also ordered to pay $400,000 compensation to the victims’ families.

He claimed that he was attacked by a group of soccer fans after going to the aid of a gypsy who was being bashed and that he acted in self defence.

“This is the first time I speak in Bulgarian. I have said many times I am sorry for the death of Andrei Monov, I never wanted this to happen,” he told the court.

He said he was trying to improve his life in the prison: “I wanted to work but they did not allow me. I have undertaken also many courses in order to improve. My life depends directly on who the head of Sofia prison is. There is no objectivity.”

Speaking outside the court, Palfreeman’s lawyer Kalin Angelov said he would now consider an appeal.

Sofia Central Prison in Bulgaria. Picture: News Corp Australia

Jock Palfreeman during his murder trial. Picture: News Corp Australia

He added the judge had rejected additional evidence and witnesses of his improved behaviour.

Prosecutor Ella Vaklinova said Palfreeman was a rebel and hostile towards the court system and the prison administration.

“He believes he is always right, this is a trait of his personality. This is something very dangerous even for himself,” she said.

“He continues to seek justification for his behaviour and his crime. He has unstable behaviour and poses medium risk for society and high risk for himself for actions such as hunger strikes.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said: “The Australian Government has provided consular assistance to Mr Palfreeman since his arrest in 2007.”

Palfreeman has just under seven years remaining on his sentence.

[e-mail]