A British pilot has launched legal action against Bulgarian authorities after he was allegedly imprisoned for a fortnight when he tried to report his passport stolen.
Three-Day Trip Turns into a Fortnight's Nightmare
Robert Weaver, a 38-year-old pilot from Birmingham, travelled alone to the Bulgarian ski resort of Bansko in October 2025. His plan was a short three-day visit to view a property near the popular holiday destination. However, the trip descended into what he describes as a harrowing ordeal when he discovered his passport was missing from his room safe on the morning of his departure.
After informing his bed and breakfast owner, Weaver went directly to the police station opposite his accommodation to formally report the theft. He explained to officers that his passport had been stolen from his hotel room and offered to verify his identity using digital copies of his documents, which he had stored online.
Despite providing his return flight details and explaining he had previously been a resident in Bulgaria, Weaver claims the police said they could not confirm who he was. Instead of helping him, he alleges he was placed in a cold police cell without access to a toilet or drinking water.
'Left to Rot' in Detention Centre
The following day, Weaver was transferred to an immigration detention facility. He claims he was confined to a cell with six other detainees, fed only one meal of rice per day, and allowed just 20 minutes of outdoor time. Toilet facilities were described as a hole in the ground, accessible only by requesting a guard.
Throughout his two-week detention, Weaver says he was denied any phone access, preventing him from contacting his wife or father to tell them he was safe. This lack of communication nearly cost him his job, as his employers could not reach him.
He further alleges that police refused him access to a solicitor, claiming none were available. At one stage, he was told he would be taken to the British Embassy, but was instead diverted to have his fingerprints taken in Blagoevgrad, near Sofia.
Secret Phone Call Leads to Freedom
Weaver's ordeal only ended, he says, after a fellow detainee secretly provided him with a mobile phone. This allowed him to finally contact the British Embassy. He claims that officials from Sofia police were apologetic and embarrassed, stating they had no idea why he had been detained.
The embassy issued him with emergency travel documents, enabling his return to the UK days later. Weaver is now pursuing legal action against the Bulgarian authorities for alleged unlawful imprisonment.
Reflecting on the experience, Weaver said his family were immensely relieved upon his return. "My dad sounded so choked up on the phone when I told him I was safe," he stated.
