Britsh army chiefs won't aid Jock Palfreeman

BRITISH defence chiefs have refused to come to the aid of an Australian man arrested in Bulgaria who fears he is about to be tried for murder in a kangaroo court.

Jock Palfreeman, a 21-year-old trainee soldier in the British army, wanted British defence officials present to ensure a fair and transparent hearing because of fears that police and witnesses are not being objective.

He made his plea in court on Monday after he was refused bail for killing the son of one of Bulgaria's leading psychologists during a brawl outside Angels Nightclub, in central Sofia, on Friday.

The former Sydneysider - who went to a top Sydney College - is currently a phase two recruit with the British Army's 1st Battalion Infantry Training Centre.

British army officials said because he was not in Bulgaria for official defence purposes the matter "is being treated as a consulate matter", according to a Ministry of Defence spokesman.

"One would assume it is off duty, in which case, it is a consular issue for the Australian Embassy," the spokesman said.

"It's not a Defence issue."

Australian Embassy officials from Athens, the closest consulate, have flown to Bulgarian capital Sofia to advise the former St Ignatius student and provide assistance.

A Canberra spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said no comment would be made on the case while police are continuing their investigation.

Palfreeman was refused bail after magistrate Maria Petrova said he was "prone to violence" and doubted whether he understood the gravity of the charges.

It is believed Palfreeman, appointed a court lawyer, made his plea for British defence force representation because he feared he would not get a fair trial given the fame of his victim's father.

However the British Army is content to leave all advice to Australian consular officials on the understanding Palfreeman was holidaying when the killing occurred, although a defence force official attached to the British Embassy in Bulgaria is being kept updated on the case.

The young Australian was believed to be in Bulgaria to help a friend renovate his home.

In a police statement issued shown in court on Monday, Palfreeman admitted pulling a knife and stabbing Andrey Monov, 20, fatally in the heart, and also Antoan Zahariev, 19.

Monov, who died in the ambulance on the way to hospital, is the son of a famous Bulgarian psychologist, Hristo Monov.

Following his son's death Monov issued a heartfelt statement pledging to protect Bulgaria's children as he could not protect his own.

"The only thing that keeps my body and soul together is the memory of my son," he said.

"I will do my best to protect the Bulgarian children from such things."

In an odd twist to the case, English-speaking Bulgarian newspaper The Frontier Times reported Mr Monov was not told of his son's death until 12 hours after he had died.

The court also heard Palfreeman's claim that he was acting in self-defence was not backed by any evidence from any of the 14 witnesses.

The slaying happened outside Angel's Nightclub, part of the Sheraton Hotel in central Sofia.

Palfreeman claimed he became involved to stop a gang of thugs that had set upon a man outside the nightclub and, after being pelted with rocks and punches, pulled the knife to protect himself.

The thugs were described by the defence as football hooligans, screaming "fascist" as they attacked the man.

Palfreeman has until today (Thursday) to appeal his bail refusal, which would be heard on Tuesday (January 8) if approved.

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