In 2025, a number of cases reached final verdicts, which had been in the focus of public attention from their very beginning. The arrest and consideration of the measures of restraint for the mayor of Varna, Blagomir Kotsev, and the deputy mayor of Sofia Municipality, Nikola Barbutov, who was released from his position after his arrest, also caused a wide resonance.
Blagomir Kotsev Case: The mayor of Varna, Blagomir Kotsev, was arrested on July 8, and the case was taken over by the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office. On November 13, the prosecution filed an indictment in the Sofia City Court. Along with Kotsev, four other defendants were brought to trial for a total of 12 crimes. On November 19, the Supreme Court of Cassation decided that the case should be considered in the District Court in Varna. On November 27, Kotsev was released on bail of 200,000 leva by the district court, and then the measure was confirmed by the second instance.
The polemics around the case started from the moment of Kotsev's arrest. Lawyers and relatives of the defendant reported pressure on witnesses. The question was also raised to what extent the competent investigating authority was the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office. Blagomir Kotsev was in custody from July to the end of November. The mayor's arrest was defined as political. After an indictment was filed and the case began, the court panel terminated the proceedings. The court reasoned that it was not competent to consider the case. The Supreme Court of Cassation assessed that the competent court was the District Court in Varna.
Nikola Barbutov Case: Parallel to this case, the investigation against the former deputy mayor of Sofia Municipality, Nikola Barbutov, was also underway. He was arrested on June 24. In the public space, the prosecution and the commission were criticized for the way they were conducting the investigations. Nikola Barbutov was accused of bribery and participation in a criminal group. On November 14, the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office announced that it had filed the indictment in the case in court, and on November 26, his measure of restraint was changed to house arrest.
Kiril Petkov Case: Another case that was in the focus of media attention this year was the one against the former Prime Minister Kiril Petkov. On February 14, the prosecution filed an indictment in court. Petkov was accused of exceeding his authority. On November 19, the Sofia City Court postponed the case of Kiril Petkov for official crimes for 2026, due to lack of materials.
Other significant cases:
- The Supreme Court of Cassation refused to reopen the case against Iliyan Todorov (life imprisonment for murder).
- The Court of Appeal confirmed life imprisonment for Orlin and Plamen Vladimirovi (murder of Evgenia Vladimirova), but the case was returned for a new consideration by the Supreme Court of Cassation.
- The Supreme Court of Cassation confirmed 20 years in prison for Georgi Semerdzhiev (crash on Cherni Vrah).
- Former policewoman Simona Radeva sentenced to 5 years in prison for helping Semerdzhiev.
- Radostin Vasilev acquitted on charges of attempted coercion.
- The Supreme Court of Cassation sentenced Adrian Antonov to 6 years in prison (crash on Slivnitsa).
- The Supreme Court of Cassation imposed 9 years in prison for Nacho Panteleev (crash that caused the death of Ferario Spasov).
- Dimitar Lyubenov sentenced to 18 years in prison (crash on the Ring Road), but the decision is subject to appeal.
- Former police officers acquitted in the bribery case in connection with Lyubenov's crash.