Australian mother's plea as son awaits possible terrorism conviction in Bulgaria
A Sydney man could be jailed for eight years in an Eastern Europe prison within the coming hours, accused of being a terrorist.
Prosecutors say John Zakhariev travelled to Syria and learned to fire machine guns in Bulgaria, evidence that points to to his intention to partake in terrorism.
After flying to the other side of the world, a mother from Balmain in Sydney's inner west, walks into a Bulgarian jail.
Ann Zakhariev's son is locked up and accused of being a terrorist and she fears this will be one of the final times she ever sees him.
"I have cancer. I don't know how long I can live," she told 7 News.
Despite battling advanced cancer, Ann left Sydney and her treatment plan to be in Bulgaria to support her son through sentencing and a possible conviction.
"It's really tough," her daughter Nevena Zakhariev said.
"It's generally just me and my mum. She's quite sick and I'm very worried about John."
Zakhariev is the son of a diplomat and a graduate from Waverley College, a Sydney private school.
He converted to Islam, and travelled to Syria in 2013 on an Australian passport before learning how to use AK-47s at this Bulgarian firing range.
In an interview with 7 News in April, the 21-year-old said he is "Absolutely not" a terrorist.
Zakhariev is not linked to an attack or accused of taking part in fighting in Syria, but prosecutors say crossing into the war zone and that he took shooting lessons in their country is evidence enough he had planned to join the conflict and terrorist organisations.
"In accordance with the information we have the prosecution thinks yes, he was involved in terrorism," said Detelina Yotova, from Bulgaria's special prosecutor's office.
His sister said it's a hard prison and he's doing it tough.
"He's having a tough time, he's foreign as well he doesn't speak any Bulgarian," she said.
His mother has a plea for the judge, saying, "Forgive my son. Give him a chance."
The court's decision is expected Monday.
