Rumen Gaitanski remains in the arrest. The decision is of the Sofia Court of Appeal.
Gaitanski is accused of being the instigator of the investigation into a BGN 148.5 million loan granted by the Bulgarian Development Bank and was detained by a prosecutor's measure for up to 72 hours after he voluntarily surrendered to the law enforcement authorities.
The Sofia City Prosecutor's Office insisted that the court impose a measure of "detention in custody" of Gaitansky. He was represented at the court session by lawyer Krasimir Donkov. Gaitansky's defense presented a list of documents. They show the amount of taxes paid in the amount of BGN 88 million to companies related to the accused.
The defense also claims that there is no document or witness in the case that says Rumen Gaitanski met with Stoyan Mavrodiev or the management board of the Bulgarian Development Bank.
The charge is biased for political purposes and will not hold up in court, another of his lawyers pointed out.
In front of the court, Rumen Gaitanski stated that the trial against him was rigged and added that he never asked for a loan and did not know anyone from the management of BBR, writes BNT.
The prosecutor's office requested that Gaitanski remain in custody. For the crime of which he is accused, the law stipulates from 10 to 20 years in prison. According to the state prosecution, the analysis of the documents collected in the case shows fictitious securing of the loan. There is a danger that Gaitanski will exert pressure if he is released and evidence in the case will be destroyed.
In the case, the former executive director of BBR Stoyan Mavrodiev and Ivan Georgiev, a representative of the company "Rodway Construction", which received the loan, are also accused.
Last week, Mavrodiev was declared a national wanted person by a decree of the Anti-Corruption Commission.