Over 30 migrants were returned to Bulgaria under the Dublin Regulation

Eighteen migrants from Austria and 14 detained in other EU countries were returned to Bulgaria today, February 13, under the Dublin Regulation. Some of the migrants arrived by charter flight.

At the airport there were dissatisfied people waiting, who claimed that the Bulgarian government had negotiated the return of thousands of refugees to Bulgaria.

The State Agency for Refugees told BNT that the migrants were returned to Bulgaria because they had applied for refugee status in the country. If they are refused, the migrants are handed over to the Migration Directorate as they are considered illegal residents.

Since the beginning of the year, 82 people have been returned to the country under this mechanism, out of a total of 317 who applied.