site.btaStoyan Mavrodiev's Extradition from Serbia Expected Within Days

Serbia has chosen a simplified procedure for the extradition of former Bulgarian Development Bank (BDB) executive director Stoyan Mavrodiev to Bulgaria, and necessary arrangements have been put in place, Bulgaria's Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev told journalists on Thursday at the Kalotina border crossing, where he and Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic were due to sign an agreement on the opening of a new border checkpoint, Kalotina 2.

Mavrodiev is wanted by the Bulgarian authorities for a loan of BGN 150 million (EUR 77 million) extended by the BDB. A European arrest warrant was issued against him after he was placed on a national wanted list in August 2024.

According to Demerdzhiev, the logistical arrangements are currently being finalized, and the extradition is expected to take place within days, with the formalities kept to a minimum.

The minister said he had not discussed Mavrodiev's surrender with his Serbian counterpart. "We received the information from our Directorate for International Operational Cooperation shortly before our meeting," Demerdzhiev said.

Earlier on Thursday, Mavrodiev's lawyer, Emanuel Yordanov, told BTA that Serbia has approved his client's extradition to Bulgaria.