7.  On 6 June 1990 two girls, who were mentally challenged, were raped in the town of Pazardzhik on several occasions in the course of the day. 8.  A preliminary investigation was opened on the next day, 7 June 1990, against an unknown assailant. On 12 October 1990 the Pazardzhik District Prosecutor’s Office suspended the investigation as the victims could not assist in identifying the offenders or the places where the offences had taken place. 9.  The preliminary investigation was resumed on 12 November 1990 against the applicant and another two individuals (the “co-accused”). 10.  On 28 February 1994 the applicant was charged that, together with the co-accused, he had raped the two girls. 11.  On an unspecified date another person was also charged that, together with the applicant and the co-accused, he had raped the two girls. 12.  On 21 July 1994 an indictment for rape against the applicant and the co-accused was submitted to the Pazardzhik District Court, which was revised in 2003 following further investigation. 13.  The Pazardzhik District Court conducted two hearings on 24 March and 23 April 2004, both of which were adjourned due to the defective summoning of some of the parties and the victims. 14.  On an unspecified date the criminal proceedings were discontinued apparently because the time-limit for prosecution under the statute of limitations had expired.