4.  The applicants were born in 1971 and 1960 respectively and live in village of Stryama, the Plovdiv region. 5.  On 21 January 1995 criminal proceedings were opened against an unknown perpetrator in respect of the theft of two sheep and a lamb. On 27 January 1995 the police took a statement from Mr Yankov in which he confessed to taking part in the commission of the offence. 6.  On 24 February 1995 the investigation against an unknown perpetrator was transformed into an investigation against Mr Yankov and two other individuals. 7.  From April 1995 until October 2001 the case remained dormant. In October 2001 the authorities started working on it. On 7 November 2001 Mr Yankov was charged. The investigation was completed in February 2002, and Mr Yankov was indicted on 15 July 2002. 8.  The first hearing, listed for 2 July 2003, was adjourned because certain witnesses and an expert were absent. It took place on 29 January 2004. The Plovdiv District Court approved a plea agreement between Mr Yankov and the prosecution and terminated the proceedings. The applicant was sentenced to one year's imprisonment, suspended. 9.  On 4 September 1993 the police received a complaint that six sheep had been stolen. The following day, 5 September 1993, they took statements from Mr Manchev and Mr Yankov in which the applicants confessed to taking part in the commission of the offence. 10.  On 19 October 1993 a preliminary investigation was opened against the applicants and two other individuals on charges of theft. 11.  Between November 1993 and November 2001 the case remained dormant. In November 2001 the authorities started working on it. Mr Yankov and Mr Manchev were charged on 16 and 19 November 2001 respectively. In December 2003 the investigation was completed, and the applicants were indicted in January 2004. 12.  At the first hearing, held on 27 October 2004, the Plovdiv District Court approved a plea agreement between the applicants and the prosecution and terminated the proceedings. Each of the applicants was sentenced to one year's imprisonment, suspended.