The case with Blagomir Kotsev will end with a guilty verdict in the European Court of Human Rights against Bulgaria. This was said this evening in the seaside city by the leader of “We continue the change“ Assen Vassilev, who joined the protest in support of Kotsev, BTA reports. Citizens gathered in front of the Municipality building for the fifth time to express their support for the mayor of the city, Blagomir Kotsev, who was detained on July 8. The previous action in his defense was on July 18.
The prosecutor's office is costing all of us millions because of cases that are condemnable to the state, Vassilev pointed out and added that the reason is that people are arrested without evidence, after which the cases fall apart in court. According to the leader of "We Continue the Change", it is already clear that the case with Blagomir Kotsev and the lack of rule of law in our country will also be discussed in the European Parliament. According to him, the discussion will be held either by the end of July or in early September. Vassilev also indicated that the protests in the country will continue.
Among those dissatisfied with the detention of Blagomir Kotsev tonight were his deputies, municipal councilors, and citizens. People raised posters in support of the detained mayor and the two municipal councilors Nikolay Stefanov and Yordan Kateliyev. The protesters raised slogans with inscriptions "Freedom for Varna", "Freedom for Good", "Varna for Good", "Justice, not orders" and chanted in support of the detainees.
The organizers announced that a large protest in support of the mayor is planned for Sunday, July 27 - Varna Liberation Day.
On July 8, the state prosecution announced that the anti-corruption commission was working on an operation in Varna, and the actions were under the supervision of the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office (SGP). The next day, the SGP announced that four people had been charged and detained for a period of 72 hours in connection with an investigation into a corruption crime in Varna.
On July 11, the Sofia City Court began examining the measures for the detention of the mayor of Varna Blagomir Kotsev, municipal councilors Yordan Kateliev and Nikolay Stefanov, and businessman Ivaylo Marinov, and a few hours later ordered "detention in custody" for the four.
Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev remains in custody, the Sofia Court of Appeal decided on July 18. The magistrates ruled that both municipal councilors Yordan Kateliev and Nikolay Stefanov remain in custody. Only businessman Ivaylo Marinov was released on bail, because, according to the court, there was no evidence of a connection with the other three.