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Corruption cases: The court considers measures against Varna mayor Kotsev

Борислав Станев

05.09.2025 • 19:18

3484 прегледа

94 коментара

Размыт фон — Снимка от Jellybeanslover, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Corruption cases: The court considers measures against Varna mayor Kotsev — Снимка от Jellybeanslover, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The Sofia City Court will hold a hearing on requests to change the measures against Mayor Kotsev and former deputy mayor Barbutov in corruption cases.

In the late afternoon today, the corridors of the Sofia City Court came alive with the submission of the long-awaited requests for a change in the pre-trial detention measures for the Mayor of Varna, Blagomir Kotsev, as well as for the former Deputy Mayor of Sofia, Nikola Barbutov, and businessman Petar Rafailov. The news, confirmed by the court's press center, marks the beginning of a new chapter in two of the most-discussed recent investigations into corruption and official misconduct, which are shaking the public sphere. Court hearings on the appeals of the accused are expected to be scheduled soon, which will set the processes in motion.

A Labyrinth of Accusations and Public Reactions

The central figure in one of the cases is the Mayor of Varna, **Blagomir Kotsev**, who was accused and detained in a corruption investigation. His case gained significant publicity after the Sofia Appellate Court decided on July 18 to keep him in custody. Along with him, municipal councilors **Yordan Kateliev** and **Nikolay Stefanov** also remained behind bars. Only the businessman **Ivaylo Marinov** was released on bail, as, according to the court panel, there was insufficient evidence of his connection to the other three.

Varna residents were not indifferent to the fate of their mayor. Just a day before the requests were submitted, residents of the seaside capital again took to the streets in protest, demanding the release of Kotsev and the two councilors. The atmosphere at the rally was charged with tension and determination, as those present demonstrated their solidarity with the accused.

Delayed Justice and Political Interventions

The request for a change in Kotsev's measure is shrouded in uncertainty. The mayor's lawyer, **Ina Lulcheva**, said a few days ago that she could not predict when the case would be reviewed by the court because the prosecution was not sending it, even though by law it should do so on the same or the next day so that the court can issue a decision within three days. This delay has raised numerous questions in the public sphere about the effectiveness of the justice system and potential attempts at procedural obstacles.

The case took on an even more distinct political tone when the leader of **GERB, Boyko Borissov**, commented on Kotsev's arrest. At a press conference earlier today, he expressed his categorical opinion that if he had the power, he would immediately release the Mayor of Varna. Borissov also made an emotional plea, stating:

"Two panels have kept him in custody, and I can only ask, turn, and say that I would be very happy if he were released"

These words provoked a sharp reaction among observers, raising the question of the line between political influence and the independence of the judiciary.

The Second Case: Organized Crime Group and New Accusations

The second case that entered the court is that of the former Deputy Mayor of Sofia **Nikola Barbutov** and businessman **Petar Rafailov**. The two are defendants in another no less serious case for participation in an organized crime group involved in official misconduct and bribes. Their detention became a reality after the mayors of the Sofia districts of "Lyulin" and "Mladost" publicly revealed irregularities in the Sofia Municipality.

On June 3, the Appellate Court in Sofia made a final decision to keep Barbutov and Rafailov in custody, confirming the seriousness of the charges brought. Recently, the prosecution added two new charges against Barbutov. He is accused of exceeding his authority and, in complicity with Rafailov, of offering the mayors of the Sofia districts of "Lyulin" – **Georgi Todorov**, and "Mladost" – **Ivaylo Kukurin**, to help them in preparing documents for a public tender with certain companies in order to secure more favorable conditions for them. These new details further complicate the picture, revealing a potential high-level corruption scheme in local government.

Коментари (94)

моля_те_слу4ва

05.09.2025, 19:17

абе моля те, най-накрая се слу4ва нещо

BRATVASKO

05.09.2025, 19:18

Слава България

0C7E2

05.09.2025, 19:19

Вики,ннай-накрая

KOMBINATOR

05.09.2025, 19:20

Хей, не се слуша нещо, а се прави нещо

p. Тодоров

05.09.2025, 19:21

Хей, накрая се чувства че се правят нещо за

v. Димитров

05.09.2025, 19:28

къде се скрито парането? в русиq ли?

kaka_

05.09.2025, 19:29

Хайде, не е време за гатани, а за правосъд

GUEST123

05.09.2025, 19:30

Ах,несеинтересувайоттова,катосеинтересув

[email protected]

05.09.2025, 19:32

Ах да, пак Русиа не оставя нищо добро

vasil_p

05.09.2025, 19:50

Варната лихвария няма да мине

DARKANGEL

05.09.2025, 19:52

Haha, за последно нещо здраво върху това махане 😁

gringo_77

05.09.2025, 19:53

Благодаря на ЕС за подкрепата

tony_stark

05.09.2025, 19:54

Абе моля те, какво се случва във Варна? К

b. димитров

05.09.2025, 19:54

Хайде,сегащеизчистимВарна

AVTORITET

05.09.2025, 19:55

нищо не се измени в това град4е 🤔

pich_007

05.09.2025, 19:57

Абе моля те, най-накрая

F12A6

05.09.2025, 20:00

Следва ли се?

6ACCD

05.09.2025, 20:02

Слава България 😁

47CC

05.09.2025, 21:41

Варната наистина се бори с корупцията

tony_stark

05.09.2025, 21:42

аз така мисля!! 🤬

Гражданин_Х2020

05.09.2025, 21:51

сега вече кметът е на разплата

d. тодоров

05.09.2025, 21:55

Хайде да се връщат парите

fan_451984

05.09.2025, 21:52

съдието

ludata

05.09.2025, 21:53

Eh, дай си време на съдието, да видим какво ще

398

05.09.2025, 21:53

Горе за съдието

F4E0

05.09.2025, 22:01

Го се трябва да ги хапнем