PALFREEMAN TRAVEL BAN ‘AT AN END’

THE long-delayed return home from Bulgaria of Sydney man Jock Palfreeman is at its “final end”, the Australian foreign minister says.

Marise Payne yesterday said Mr Palfreeman, who was released in October after serving nearly 12 years behind bars in Sofia for murder, had everything he needed from Australia to leave the Balkan nation.

However, the 33-year-old says he remains unable to leave the country as his movement is restricted by the Bulgarian government over issues relating to an expired travel ban.

“We’re at the final end of those processes and we’ve been very clear with the government in Bulgaria that we expect to see Mr Palfreeman able to travel as soon as possible,” Ms Payne said in Sydney yesterday.

“Once that travel ban is lifted, then that should be readily facilitated. He has everything he needs from the Australian side to do that ... and then he’ll be able to make his own decisions about where to next.”

Ms Payne said Australian government officials would continue to engage with their Bulgarian counterparts to ensure there were no further impediments to Mr Palfreeman’s freedom of movement.