The Prosecutor's Office has not protested the Sofia City Court's refusal to release Nikola Nikolov-Pascal from custody for smuggling investigations. He remains free on bail of 50,000 leva, the Sofia Court of Appeal announced.
Nikolov's defense has not yet filed an appeal against his detention order. The three-day appeal period has already expired, which means that the court's decision has entered into force, BNT confirmed.
We recall that Nikola Nikolov, extradited after a one-year procedure from Serbia, is accused of participating in an organized criminal group for smuggling together with the former director of the "Customs" Agency Petya Bankova, former Secretary General of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Zhivko Kotsev and three other people.
When considering his pre-trial detention measure at the Sofia City Court, Judge Adelina Ivanova cited his testimony before the Anti-Corruption Commission. In it, Nikolov stated that he had heard from Stefan Dimitrov that former ministers Asen Vassilev and Boyko Rashkov were also involved in the smuggling activity.
"The decision is legal and we will most likely not appeal", Nikolov's lawyer, Dimitar Markovski, told the media. He explained that his client does not know Vassilev and Rashkov personally, but has only recounted information received from Stefan Dimitrov.
After paying the 50,000 leva bail, Nikola Nikolov - Pascal will be released. He has 15 days to pay the amount.