Evelyn Banev-Brendo is set to spend the next few years in the Sofia Central Prison! The Sofia City Court refuses to send him to Italy or Romania, where severe sentences await him. This was reported in "Bulgaria Today".
At a closed session a week ago, judge Hristina Mihailova and her colleagues refused to respect the European Arrest Warrants (EAWs) issued by Italy and Romania. Such were issued for the "cocaine king" since his disappearance in 2018. After he appeared on June 24 in front of the Sofia pandela, magistrates scheduled a hearing to consider his extradition abroad.
Brendo refuses to drive to the Courthouse in the heat. Submits a request to be remotely included in the meeting.
So instead of sweating it out in Forensic Guard buses and going a whole day without food, he's housed in the special video link room in the dungeon. From there he joins on Skype. Through the camera, he explains that he supports the thesis of his defense that he should not be sent elsewhere, but to rub his native pomegranate.
Prosecutor Lilia Damyanova shares this opinion. According to her, if two requests for extradition are received, the court must assess the severity and place of commission of the crimes and the date of issuance of the EZA.
In addition, given that Banev has a 6-year sentence for laundering money from drug trafficking in our country, his extradition abroad should at least be postponed until he serves his sentence. This is what the Extradition and European Arrest Warrant Act says.
Brendo himself applied to serve his sentences in Bulgaria. His request is being considered in another proceeding, which is in a loop.
Themis employees agree with the parties because of Art. 40 of the law, which states that extradition must be postponed if, before it, the requested person is brought in as an accused or defendant or has already been convicted. The possibility of Banev serving his sentences from abroad in Bulgaria is also being discussed.
Because of the "Cocaine Kings" Italy sentenced him to 20 years, and Romania gave him 10 and a half years behind bars, again for drug trafficking.
According to the magistrates in his native pandis, Brendo will have better chances for resocialization. It is assumed that in Sofia it will be easier for relatives to visit him.