The Sofia City Court has received requests to alter the detention measures of Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev, former Deputy Mayor of Sofia Nikola Barbutov and businessman Petar Rafailov, the court's press office announced.
Blagomir Kotsev was detained as part of an investigation into a corruption-related offense. Barbutov and Rafailov are charged with participating in organized criminal groups linked to abuse of office and bribery, BTA recalls. Recently, two more charges have been pressed against former Sofia Deputy Mayor Nikola Barbutov.
Blagomir Kotsev’s lawyer, Ina Lulcheva, commented that the prosecution is delaying the submission of the case to court. On June 3 the Sofia Appellate Court ordered that Barbutov and Rafailov remain in custody indefinitely.
Thousands protest in Sofia in defense of Varna mayor and against selective justice
Protests in Bulgaria and across Europe back detained Varna mayor Blagomir Kotsev
Sofia Appellate Court leaves Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev in custody
Court hearings are to be scheduled to review the appeals filed by all three defendants against their detention.
Regular protests have been held in Blagomir Kotsev’s hometown Varna, calling for the release of the detained mayor.
Edited by Diana TsankovaPublished and translated by Kostadin Atanasov
Photo: BTA
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