The director of the “Customs“ Petya Bankova has been detained for 72 hours and is accused of participating in an organized criminal group for trade in influence, smuggling, bribery with three other people whom she does not know, her lawyer Adelina Natina told the media.
Stefan Dimitrov, Marin Dimitrov and Nikola Nikolov also face charges.
Natina showed to the media the decree of the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office for the prosecution of her client.
According to the indictment, the criminal group operated from January 2023 to April 3, 2024. Lawyer Natina pointed out that Bankova did not know the people with whom she was accused of participating in a criminal group. Specifying that she was appointed to the “Customs” on August 8, 2023. It also added that no leader of the criminal group was named, and the three defendants with Bankova were detained. She confirmed that ten people were arrested in yesterday's operation, but only four have been charged and it is unclear what is happening to the others. Natina pointed out that Bankova's deputy - Ludmil Marinov, has been released.
Adelina Natina admitted that the prosecution will ask the court to impose a permanent restraining order on Petya Bankova.
BTA recalls that yesterday an action was held by the "National Security" State Agency. (DANS) and KPK, as law enforcement officers, entered the "Customs" Agency. and at different addresses. Bankova was taken for questioning and arrested for 24 hours.