European Union launches infringement against Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia over fair trial rights

As a result of Belgium, Bulgaria, and Croatia’s improper adoption of EU directives for the right to a fair trial in criminal proceedings, the European Commission announced on Thursday that it has launched an infringement case against them. According to the commission, the violation relates to a failure to properly implement the directive on the strengthening of the presumption of innocence and the right to be present at the trial in criminal proceedings. Belgium, Bulgaria, and Croatia now have two months to implement the necessary fixes for the problems the commission highlighted. The commission may choose to send a reasoned opinion if their conclusion is not acceptable to it. (With agency inputs)