A three-member panel of the Sofia Court of Appeals overturned the ruling of the Sofia City Court, which terminated the proceedings in the case for the early conditional release of Evelin Banev, known as Brendo, the court's press center announced.
According to the appellate judges, the first instance court should continue the proceedings and rule on the merits. The ruling of the Court of Appeals is not subject to appeal or protest.
At the first instance hearing on February 20, it was announced that the proceedings were initiated by the then head of the Sofia Prison, who was then temporarily suspended. An authorized representative of the current chief withdrew the request in the courtroom, which is why the case was terminated.
We recall that at the end of June 2024, Evelin Banev – Brendo surrendered to the Sofia prison. He was declared an international wanted person in 2018. At the end of May 2025, Evelin Banev - Brendo received 10 and a half years in prison with an initial strict regime. This was finally decided by the Court of Appeal in Sofia. The punishment is the cumulative sentences from Romania and Italy. This confirmed the decision of the Sofia City Court.