site.btaUPDATED Appellate Court Leaves Varna Mayor in Custody

The Sofia Appellate Court has upheld a ruling of a lower instance court and left Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev, along with municipal councilors Nikolay Stefanov and Yordan Kateliev in custody on charges of corruption. The ruling came after a court session that lasted more than nine hours.

Meanwhile, businessman Ivaylo Marinov has been released on a recognizance note.

It transpired Thursday that the prosecution service has submitted a new volume of evidence and that Kotsev's former deputy, Dian Ivanov, who was a witness to the prosecution has not been questioned and a statement where he says that his depositions made so far in the case are untrue and made under duress, has not been enclosed to the case file. The court, however, has checked with the prosecution service to make sure such a statement had indeed been submitted.

Kotsev’s lawyers requested that the Appellate Court overturn his permanent detention, challenging both the venue of the trial in Sofia and the actions of the investigative authorities.

"I will not hide," said Kotsev, emphasizing that, above all, he wants the truth to be revealed.

In response, Prosecutor Kalin Bliznakov asserted that there is sufficient evidence against all four individuals. Regarding the case of Dian Nikolov, who had publicly claimed that his testimony was given under pressure, Bliznakov remarked that until Nikolov is questioned further, his statements remain as valid evidence in the investigation.

The prosecutor also suggested that there are indications of political protection related to the case.

Earlier, the Deputy Chair of the Sofia Appellate Court, Judge Alexander Zhelyazkov had urged all present in the courtroom to refrain from any political activity as the court is considering the detention of Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev on corruption charges.

There were MPs of Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria, Velichie, relatives of the detainees, including Blagomir Kotsev's wife. She was in the courtroom with her 1-month-old baby but was asked to take her out as no one under the age of 16 is allowed in during a hearing.

Representatives of diplomatic missions in Bulgaria, including those from France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, were seen in the courtroom.

Responding to a statement by the Bulgaria Foreign Ministry, the German Embassy wrote on Facebook that it "follows all significant domestic political developments". "Sometimes this includes gathering personal impressions from various protests. This is the reason for Ambassador Irene Plank’s visit yesterday to the protest organized by Justice for All. As close friends and partners in the EU and NATO, Bulgaria and Germany maintain a friendly and trust-based dialogue."

Blagomir Kotsev, along with municipal councilors Yordan Kateliev and Nikolai Stefanov, and businessman Ivaylo Marinov, have been charged with participation in an organized criminal group operating in the Varna region from July 2024 to November 19, 2024. The group is accused of engaging in coordinated criminal activities including abuse of office, bribery, and money laundering. The organization, allegedly formed for personal gain, includes public officials.

Kotsev, Kateliev, and Stefanov are also charged with attempting to extort a sum equivalent to 15% excluding VAT of 1,523,446 BGN, of the value of a public procurement contract for the delivery of ready meals to schools and kindergartens.