Bulgaria To Test Tracking Bracelets for Criminals

Bulgaria will offer to 180 parolees and people with suspended sentences to wear tracking bracelets, said Justice Minister Zinaida Zlatanova. 

The wearing of bracelets will be voluntary, as Bulgarian law does not provide for such mandatory measures. Zlatanova, however, said that if the project is successful, the law will be amended to allow the mandatory wearing of tracking devices. 

According to Zlatanova, such bracelets will prevent sentenced criminals from escaping justice. 

Bulgaria will buy the 180 bracelets as part of a project of the Justice Ministry, financed by the Norwegian financial mechanism. The tracking will be carried out by a centralised system, which will monitor the movement of those who wear the bracelet. In case they move away at more than 150 m from their home, the center will receive a signal and the person will be detained. 

According to Zlatanova, this will be a cheaper solution than physically detaining  people.