The mayor of Mineralni Bani Myumyun Iskender and the municipal employee Bayryam Ilyaz remain under house arrest. This was determined at its meeting today by a panel of the District Court in Haskovo, which had to rule on the request of the two to change the remand order to a lighter one on the grounds of poor health and lack of action on the investigation for two months.
Iskender and Ilyaz are accused of participating in an organized criminal group with the aim of illegally obtaining funds from European Union funds. The action of the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office and the Commission for Combating Corruption in Mineralni Bani took place on September 20 of this year.
In addition to Iskender and Ilyaz, Iskender's son and daughter, who are on monetary bail, have also been charged.
On October 3, the District Court in Haskovo ordered "house arrest" for the accused. The trial was then accompanied by protests in front of the Courthouse by supporters of Iskender. On October 10, the Court of Appeal in Plovdiv confirmed the measure of procedural coercion.
The prosecutor's office commented that the investigation continues, and new charges may be brought.
The lawyers of Iskender and Ilyaz announced that they will appeal the decision of the higher instance.