You have been a victim of a crime if you are a person who has suffered harm, for example, who has been injured or whose property has been damaged or stolen as a result of an incident that constitutes a criminal offence under national law. As a victim of crime, the legislation grants you certain rights before, during and after the case has been concluded in court.
If you are a family member of a victim who has died, you can only exercise their rights if you are their heir.
If you have been the victim of one of the extremely serious crimes listed (1), you have some additional rights in terms of assistance and compensation that you may receive. Nationals of Member States of the European Union, as well as foreign nationals in cases provided for in an international treaty to which the Republic of Bulgaria is a party, may be entitled to assistance and one-off financial compensation from the State. Forms of assistance are emergency medical assistance, psychological counselling and assistance, free legal aid and practical assistance. Financial compensation shall cover, either jointly or separately, material damage which is the direct consequence of the offence. If you are a child, parent, spouse or cohabitation with a victim of one of these crimes who died as a result of this crime, you can exercise their additional rights.
Criminal proceedings in Bulgaria include an investigation carried out by the investigating authorities, during which evidence of the offence committed and of the offender is gathered. If sufficient evidence has been taken, the case is referred to the court. The trial phase ends with the conviction or acquittal of the accused and possible appeals before higher courts. The main objective is to assess who is responsible for committing a criminal offence and to impose a corresponding penalty.
Follow the links below to find the information you need
1 My rights as a victim of crime
2 Reporting a crime and my rights during the investigation or trial