4.  The applicant was born in 1968 and lives in Plovdiv. 5.  On 11 September 1993 criminal proceedings were opened against an unknown perpetrator for a theft of objects of considerable value from a private apartment, committed the same day. 6.  On 22 September 1993 the applicant was questioned in connection to the theft and admitted to having taken part in its commission. 7.  On 20 October 1993 a police report in connection to the theft was prepared. The applicant was mentioned as one of the perpetrators. On 26 October 1993 the case was sent to the Plovdiv regional public prosecutor’s office. 8.  Apparently thereafter the case remained dormant. 9.  On 11 December 1998 the preliminary investigation (предварително производство) was transformed into a police investigation (дознание). Thereafter, until January 2002 the case again remained dormant. 10.  A number of investigative actions were carried out between January and August 2002. 11.  On 6 August 2002 the applicant was charged with the theft and was questioned. 12.  A number of investigative actions were carried out between August 2002 and February 2003. 13.  In March 2003 the applicant’s case was brought before the Plovdiv District Court. The first hearing was held on 8 October 2003 and was adjourned upon the applicant’s request. 14.  On 7 April 2004 the District Court approved a plea bargain agreement and the applicant was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.