For the third time, the Sofia Court of Appeal will decide on the remand orders of former customs chief Petya Bankova and businessman Stefan Dimitrov. They are accused of participating in a criminal group for smuggling and corruption.
So far, the hearing was postponed twice because of Bankova's lawyer, who was on sick leave. Today, the case will be heard by a new panel headed by Veselin Pengezov.
The other accused are Marin Dimitrov, who is Stefan's father, but is currently at liberty due to his health condition, and Nikola Nikolov-Pascal, who is wanted. As of Wednesday, the former chief secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Zhivko Kotsev, was also charged with participating in a criminal group.