March 25, 2025: The Administrative Court upheld ДАБ’s asylum rejection.
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March 26, 2025: In a new legal victory, Sofia City Administrative Court issued a final
ruling for Al-Khalidi’s immediate release, citing significant violations in his case, failure
to consider his psychological state, and non-compliance with the Geneva Convention
and EU Directive 2013/33/EU. Following a defense appeal against his continued
detention, the court deemed it illegal, ordering his immediate release due to its
unreasonable duration and severe health impact. Many saw this as a triumph for justice,
though Al-Khalidi and his lawyers remained cautious pending implementation.
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March 27, 2025: ДАБ refused to implement the immediate release order, sparking
heated legal debate in Bulgaria. Legal experts called it a blatant contempt of court,
leaving Al-Khalidi in limbo despite another judicial victory.
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March 28, 2025: Instead of release, Bulgarian authorities transferred Al-Khalidi to
another detention section in the same building under the Migration Directorate in Sofia,
a move human rights groups deemed a maneuver to evade pressure. The BHC and others condemned this as an “illegal circumvention” to keep him detained by reclassifying his detention as for deportation rather than asylum purposes. His lawyers vowed to pursue the matter to ensure the judicial system was not undermined.
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April 1, 2025: The Migration Directorate informed Al-Khalidi of deportation
proceedings, with the possibility of transfer to a third country without guarantees.
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April 7, 2025: 12 European Parliament members (MEPs) from Germany, France, Ireland,
and others submitted urgent inquiries (E-001410/2025) to the European Commission,
demanding Bulgaria’s compliance with EU law in Al-Khalidi’s case. Expressing concern
that Bulgaria’s actions threatened the EU asylum system’s reputation, they cited the
March 26, 2025, release ruling and urged the Commission to ensure its implementation
and respect for the rule of law. The letter implied potential infringement proceedings
against Bulgaria if violations persisted.
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April 30, 2025: The ECHR communicated with Bulgarian authorities regarding
Al-Khalidi’s complaint against Bulgaria.
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May 13, 2025: Despite medical reports, Sofia Administrative Court upheld Al-Khalidi’s
detention for an additional six months based on a ДАНС request claiming more time
was needed to “arrange deportation and prevent his escape.
” The judge entirely ignored medical and psychological reports highlighting the danger of continued detention, drawing sharp criticism from human rights organizations, especially since Al-Khalidi’s asylum application remained pending and the ECHR case was ongoing.
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May 14, 2025: Dr. Eliana Kirilova from the Interior Ministry Hospital issued a
psychological report confirming worsening CPTSD and recommending Al-Khalidi’s
transfer to a medical facility, which was rejected.
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May 19, 2025: The ECHR publicized Al-Khalidi’s case (26364/24), boosting his morale
as he felt his voice would reach an international justice platform, relayed via his lawyers.
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May 21, 2025: The Migration Directorate rejected Dr. Kirilova’s recommendation to
transfer Al-Khalidi to a specialized hospital. A Ministry of Interior spokesperson
claimed, “Mr. Al-Khalidi’s health is under control, and he does not require special care,
”a denial human rights groups called a rejection of reality. British media reported that UK
courts halted returns to Bulgaria due to detention conditions and Al-Khalidi’s case.
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June 5, 2025: Al-Khalidi requested urgent UNHCR intervention for resettlement,
receiving no response.

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June 23, 2025: In a third legal victory, the Supreme Administrative Court overturned
the asylum rejection for the third time but referred the case to the lower court for
another appealable decision, complicating matters. The court ruled that ДАБ failed to
comply with local and international law, instructing the lower court to reconsider with
clear guidance to account for all evidence of Al-Khalidi’s activities, including post-Saudi
Arabia, under the Sur Place principle. While a moral victory, it raised concerns as the
lower court and ДАБ could reject again.
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June 26, 2025: Dr. Vladimir Sotirov’s third medical report warned that Al-Khalidi’s
mental state could develop into more severe chronic disorders if detention continued,
firmly recommending immediate release and specialized healthcare before further
deterioration.
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July 7, 2025: Spanish journalist Marta Martínez published an article in Yemayá Revista,
“Busmantsi: Hell on Earth in the Heart of Europe, focusing on Busmantsi’s conditions
through Al-Khalidi’s experience, describing it as a place where detainees’ humanity is
buried.
"It called on Spanish and EU authorities to act against Bulgaria, questioning how
the EU allows such “hell” in a member state. The article spread in Spanish and Italian
media.
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July 7, 2025: ДАНС claimed Al-Khalidi was a security threat based on his mental state,
contradicted by Interior Ministry hospital reports stating he was non-aggressive and
communicative.
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July 15, 2025: The Supreme Administrative Court rejected Al-Khalidi’s appeal against
his detention order, citing “deportation arrangements” and ensuring he did not
abscond.

July 31, 2025 (Current Status): Abdulrahman Al-Khalidi remains detained in a Migration
Directorate facility in Sofia under strict guard, having spent approximately 46 months in
administrative detention. Despite multiple favorable judicial rulings and international pressure, Bulgarian authorities continue detaining him on “national security” grounds. Support campaigns persist, with human rights organizations and international figures raising their voices, and the case awaits a final ECHR decision in the coming months. Al-Khalidi and his supporters hope for long-awaited freedom, closing a dark chapter for him and his scattered family, and addressing a detention that has raised questions about Europe’s commitment to its values. Until then, Al-Khalidi remains a symbol of resilience against repression, his case a true test of international justice principles.