The Sofia Court of Appeal (SCA) has definitively confirmed the decision to detain Krasimir Georgiev, accused of participating in an organized crime group related to animal cruelty and money laundering. This was announced by the SCA press center to the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).
The magistrates of the appellate court supported the opinion of the first instance court that there is sufficient evidence of a committed crime, including causing death with particular cruelty to vertebrate animals. The court referred to the available expert reports and confirmed that the detention measure was correctly assessed by the lower instance.
The case attracted public attention in March this year when Krasimir Georgiev and Gabriela Sashova were arrested on charges of filming animal abuse videos for payment. Initially, the court ordered permanent detention for both defendants.
In June, there was a development in the case when the Pernik District Court considered a request to change Georgiev"s detention measure. The court then decided to replace the arrest with a bail of 8,000 leva. However, this decision provoked reactions from the prosecution, which filed a protest against the ruling. At the same time, Georgiev"s defense appealed the amount of the set bail.
The current decision of the Sofia Court of Appeal puts an end to these procedures, confirming the initial measure of detention. This development underscores the seriousness with which Bulgarian justice treats cases of animal cruelty and related crimes.
The case against Georgiev and Sashova raised important questions about animal protection in Bulgaria and the need for stricter measures against organized crime involved in such acts. The process is expected to continue to attract significant public attention as it develops in the judicial system.