Sofia City Court receives requests to alter the detention measures of Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev and two other defendants

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.

Court hearings are to be scheduled to review the appeals filed by all three defendants against their detention.