Varna Officials Remain Detained as Court Focuses on Mayor’s Case
Varna, Bulgaria – Requests for review of the detention measures for Varna councilors Nikolay stefanov and Yordan Kateliev have not been filed with the court, meaning a hearing will proceed today solely regarding the detention of Mayor Blagomir Kotsev. The hearing is scheduled for 10:30 am.
The Varna mayor’s office stated the defense team for all three men appears to be pursuing a unified legal strategy, suggesting requests for the release of Stefanov and Kateliev might potentially be submitted at a later date. The three were arrested on July 8th following allegations made by businesswoman Plamenka Dimitrova concerning a public procurement request.
A protest is planned today in front of the Sofia City Court, drawing participants from both Sofia and Varna, demanding what protestors consider “fair justice” – the release of the mayor and the two councilors.
The prosecutor’s office submitted a request to change Kotsev’s restraining order last Friday, a move his lawyer, Inna Lulcheva, characterized as significantly delayed, stating the defense had filed their request earlier. Kotsev’s party, Political Power (PP), and the two councilors held a protest in response, and reportedly threatened action against the prosecutor’s office and anti-corruption committee if further delays occurred.
Ivaylo Marinov, a fourth individual arrested in connection with the case and linked to businessman Angel Dermendzhiev, has been released.Dian Ivanov, Kotsev’s childhood friend and former deputy mayor, initially testified against Kotsev but later claimed the testimony was given under duress, a claim he later walked back, stating last week he had not been questioned about pressure.
