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July 6, 2008

Michael Kapoustin arrives in Canada.

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 July 3, 2008

Dean Peroff deposits with the Canadian government the $17,000 plus interest that the Bulgarian court says Michael must pay to settle a non-related civil debt before he will be released.  The Canadian Embassy transfers the money to the Bulgarian authorities and Michael is released on his own recognizance.

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July 2, 2008

Michael Kapoustin, in a videotape from his prison cell, appeals to the Prime Minister to pressure the Bulgarian authorities to release him.

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June 28, 2008

Dean Peroff notified the PM's special envoy that he had just spoken with Michael who had called from his prison cell.  Mr. Peroff indicated that Michael reported that the conditions were extremely bad, he was concerned for Michael's safety and well being and called on the Canadian government to take immediate action.

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June 26, 2008

The Bulgarian court paroled Michael Kapoustin. 30 minutes later, Michael was taken away in hand cuffs to a prison in Busmantci for illegal foreigners.  Friends of Michael's in Bulgaria immediately notified the Canadian Embassy in Romania that he needed a valid Canadian passport to be released.  Dean Peroff immediately notified the PM's special envoy and foreign affairs officials in Canada that Michael had been moved, that the Canadian Embassy in Romania had been notified and that he and the family were extremely worried for Michael's safety, especially given the reported conditions of the prison and that some detainees had been kept there for 2 years.

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February 15, 2008

Dean Peroff, pro bono lawyer for Michael Kapoustin, files an application with the CPC for an urgent investigation into allegations of misconduct by the RCMP towards Michael Kapoustin, which lead to his arrest, interrogation, torture and conviction.  See  News Releases  and  Media Coverage

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January 2008

Bulgaria, through the Council of Europe, informed Canada that they are willing to consider a new request "containing new facts and circumstances", for transfer of Michael Kapoustin to the Canadian prison system.

December 6, 2007
Point 9 in the "Ten Key Points" webpage has been changed to "Michael Kapoustin has been subjected to a black media campaign by the government of Bulgaria and its tame media." See recent media articles from Bulgaria and our clarifications here.

November 22, 2007
Canadian and Bulgarian government representatives, under the auspices of officials of the Council of Europe, met in Strasbourg on November 22, 2007 to discuss the transfer of Mr. Michael Kapoustin to Canada.  The meeting provided an opportunity for both governments to seek clarifications and exchange information on their respective policies as they relate to Mr. Kapoustin.  It is expected that both delegations will meet again on the matter early in the New Year. 

November 20, 2007
The website, michaelkapoustin.com is launched.

November 6, 2007
Michael Kapoustin turns 55 years old.

November 1, 2007

Kapoustin was overlooked for parole again, while 102 prisoners were paroled, of these, 11 were foreigners; 5 from the maximum security prison, SCP. One was an Armenian national serving a 16-year sentence for murder. This prisoner spent 6 months less in prison than Kapoustin and had nearly 12 months more remaining on his sentence than Kapoustin. One of the parolees was a Bulgarian with 8 years un-served of a 20-year sentence. 

August 7, 2007

Kapoustin is transferred to the open/transitional prison.

Government of Canada invokes article 23 of the Council of Europe’s Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons.

Kapoustin is denied transfer to open/transitional prison and continues to be arbitrarily imprisoned in Sofia Central Penitentiary, a maximum security facility for violent repeat offenders.

The Government of Canada informs Bulgaria of its intent to invoke article 23 of the Council of Europe’s Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons.

Kapoustin’s pro-bono lawyer, Dean Peroff and advisors meet with Laurette Glasgow, Canada’s Ambassador to the European Council and Senator Frank Mahovlich in Strasbourg, France.

Kapoustin’s wife Tracy Kapoustin, pro-bono lawyer, Dean Peroff and Kapoustin committee members meet with the Hon. Jason Kenney, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity) and the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on the Kapoustin case, the Hon. Stockwell Day, Minister Public Safety and the Hon. Helena Guergis, Secretary of State (Foreign Affairs and International Trade) to urge Canada to invoke article 23 of the Council of Europe’s Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons – mediation of Bulgaria’s refusal to transfer Kapoustin to Canada’s penal system.