Corruption cases: The court considers measures against Varna mayor Kotsev

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"

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.

The submission of requests for a change in the measures for the three accused represents a key moment in the development of the two investigations, which have attracted enormous media and public attention. The upcoming court hearings will show whether the requests will be granted and whether the justice system will make a substantive ruling or if new twists will continue to appear in this tangled legal and political case.