The difficult decision of the Appellate Court – Burgas

The Appellate Court in Burgas confirmed the remand measure "detention in custody" for the 21-year-old driver accused of causing death in a serious car accident in Sveti Vlas. The incident, in which an 18-year-old girl of Ukrainian descent died, shocked the public.

The court stated categorically: A lighter measure would not eliminate the risk of a new crime, given the arrogant behavior on the road.

Case details

  • Date of the incident: June 15, 2024
  • Charge: Speeding and operating a BMW vehicle, which led to striking a pedestrian on the sidewalk.
  • Defense arguments: Lawyers requested "house arrest" with an electronic bracelet, citing a clean criminal record.

Why did the court keep the accused in custody?

Despite the defense's attempts to mitigate the measure, the magistrates noted aggravating circumstances:

  • History of violations: The accused has numerous previous sanctions under the Road Traffic Act, including for speeding.
  • Gravity of the crime: The law provides for a penalty of "imprisonment" from 10 to 15 years.
  • Public danger: The court considered that there is a real risk of hiding or committing a new crime.

The court's ruling is final and not subject to appeal.