site.btaRule of Law in Question after Court Keeps Varna Mayor in Custody, Sofia Mayor Says

Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev said the court decision to keep Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev in detention was "a troubling sign for the rule of law in Bulgaria". Both Terziev and Kotsev won the mayor's race in their cities in October 2023 as opposition candidates.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Terziev expressed concern that such rulings could erode public trust in the justice system, creating a perception that individuals are being treated as “guilty until proven innocent.”

“These kinds of decisions raise serious questions about the rule of law and create a sense of arbitrariness,” Terziev wrote. “In a state governed by law, the rules must apply equally to everyone—without exception and without political undertones.”

He emphasized that it is the prosecution’s duty to prove its accusations with evidence, and the court’s responsibility to ensure a fair and transparent process. Terziev also criticized the court for not re-hearing witnesses who claimed they were pressured, and for using pre-trial detention as de facto punishment.

“Today it’s Blago [a short name for Bladomir]. Tomorrow it could be anyone else,” he warned. “If we allow the judiciary to become an instrument of pressure, there will soon be no one left to defend the public interest.”

While clarifying that he is not the one to decide guilt or innocence, Terziev said it is his duty—as both a mayor and a citizen—to stand up for justice, transparency, and equal treatment under the law. “Only then can we preserve public trust in our institutions and ensure that the law serves the people—not political interests,” he added.

His remarks come after the Sofia Court of Appeal late Tuesday upheld the lower court’s decision to keep Kotsev in custody. The Varna mayor is under investigation for corruption and alleged participation in an organized crime group. The Appellate Court's ruling on his remand in custody is final.