Varna municipal councilors Yordan Kateliev and Nikolay Stefanov are being placed under house arrest. The court changed their sentence at a hearing today, BNT reports.
There is a reasonable assumption, but there is no longer a risk that they will commit other crimes to the extent that would require detention, the court panel decided. Prosecutor Asen Hristov also requested a lighter sentence for the two defendants, arguing that there is no risk that they will abscond. They have a clean criminal record and if someone sees a risk of committing another crime, it can be overcome even under house arrest.
At a hearing a week ago, the Sofia City Court left Varna municipal councilors Stefanov and Kateliyev in custody. They are accused of participating in an organized criminal group, along with Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev.