The Appellate Court - Burgas upheld the detention of three individuals accused of participating in an organized criminal group whose activity was directed against debtors of quick loans. The decision, which is final, puts an end to a prolonged legal battle related to the investigation of serious criminal activity.
According to information from the court archives, the defendants were brought to justice on 17.07.2025 for serious crimes falling under Art.321, para.3 and Art.213a, para.2, item 4 and item 5, in connection with para.1, in connection with Art.20, para.2, in connection with Art.26, para.1 of the Criminal Code. According to the indictment, P. D. headed the criminal group, while A. M. and T. S. actively participated in it. The organized criminal group was created with one main goal - to generate financial benefits from its criminal activity.
From the spring of 2023 to the spring of 2025, on the territory of various settlements in Yambol and Burgas regions, the members of the group committed their crimes, acting in conditions of continued crime and in complicity. Their aim was to force debtors of quick loans to dispose of money in various amounts. They used threats of violence, making threats of physical confrontation and exerting psychological influence by instilling a justifiable fear for an attack on the affected persons and their relatives, including threats to damage property.
The initial measure of restraint - detention, was taken by the Regional Court - Yambol in July 2025 and was subsequently confirmed by both judicial instances in September. The latest decision of the Appellate Court - Burgas comes after an appeal against a ruling of the Regional Court - Yambol from 16.10.2025, which rejected the requests to change the measure of restraint of the detained persons.
The court carefully examined the evidence collected so far. Based on them, the appellate instance came to the conclusion that there are sufficient grounds for a reasonable presumption of the involvement of the three defendants in the committed crimes. The current composition of the court emphasizes that no changes have occurred in the circumstances that would justify a change in the measure of restraint to a lighter one.
The jurors are categorical that the available evidence has not shaken the degree of certainty of the defendants' participation in the incriminated acts. This evidence does not change the conclusions about the high public danger of their actions, as well as the real possibility that they will commit another crime if they are released with a lighter measure. The court explicitly states that the danger of committing a new crime stems from the specifics of the collusive and prolonged criminal activity, from the large number of affected persons, as well as from the data on attempts to influence witnesses in order to change their testimony.
The court confirmed that the detention of the accused persons did not exceed a reasonable period, in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights. From the courtroom, the reporter saw how the law enforcement officers began to escort the detainees. The atmosphere in the hall was tense, and the faces of those present were serious, reflecting the importance of the decision. The ruling of the Appellate Court - Burgas is final, which means that the process continues in the conditions of detention.