The Veliko Tarnovo District Court placed the five members of the rock club “Hells Angels“, accused of participating in an organized criminal group and committing serious intentional crimes – racketeering, robberies, assaults and coercion, under house arrest.
Judge Emanuel Vardarov ruled that the decision be implemented immediately, and the defendants left the courtroom without handcuffs. Control over the implementation of the measure will be carried out through electronic bracelets.
“Justice prevails“, said Miroslav Pashov upon his exit – Pasha, alleged to be one of the gang's leaders.
After a six-hour hearing, the court did not grant the prosecutor's request for permanent detention.
The defendants are Emil Yordanov - Cherniya, Miroslav Pashov - Pasha, Nayden Naydenov, Milen Petrov and the Dane Beslev Karsten, a permanent resident of the village of Pavel, Polski Trambesh municipality. Each of them is accused of more than 20 crimes, and one - 27.
The group was dismantled on August 7 during an operation by the Bulgarian Anti-Terrorism Squad in Veliko Tarnovo. During the operation, edged weapons, boxing gloves, spray cans, batons, handcuffs, large sums of money, mobile phones and computer equipment were seized. According to the investigation, the gang has been operating since 2014.
Among the charges are extortion, racketeering, robberies, assaults and forced insurance. According to the prosecutor's office, "The Black One" and "The Pasha" have no official connection with a security company registered in the name of their wives.
The leaders of the group are threatened with sentences of between 5 and 15 years in prison, as well as confiscation of property and fines.