A Burgas court is hearing today whether two mayors should stay in custody: Radoslav Revanski of Belitsa and Dimitar Gavazov of Sungurlare. Both were arrested on corruption charges. Prosecutors say the case involves public procurement contracts in Sungurlare municipality worth about €7m.

Court guards brought the mayors to the Palace of Justice in Burgas. "Don't play games with political peace! You are playing with fire!" Revanski said seconds before he walked into the courtroom.

Both men are charged with taking part in an organised criminal group. Prosecutors say its aim was "trading in influence" to gain property. Between 25% and 35% of the value of the contracts was paid to members of the group, who split the money.

The prosecution says a third person also took part. This person looked for firms that wanted to join the tenders or had already applied, and made the first contact with them. If a firm agreed, the person put it in touch with the others. The exact sums, the documents and all the arrangements were agreed at meetings.

Prosecutors say Gavazov was in charge of who sat on the evaluation committee and of influencing it. They say the members were municipal employees whom the mayor had put on the procurement committees so that a chosen bidder would win. Revanski, as deputy chair of the Association of Municipalities, dealt with moving money from the regional development ministry and the State Fund "Agriculture", they say.

The prosecutor in the case said there are suspicions about other contracts too. It is still to be established whether the money went straight to the accused or to other purposes.

Gavazov's lawyer said the evidence is not enough and the documents do not set out specific claims. The lawyers for both defendants are still reading the case files.

Sungurlare mayor Dimitar Gavazov was arrested on 20 October in an operation by the organised crime directorate (GDBOP) and the State Agency for National Security (DANS). Belitsa mayor Radoslav Revanski was arrested on 21 October. On 22 October, staff and residents of Sungurlare protested outside the court in Burgas in support of Gavazov.

A financial audit of Sungurlare municipality is due. It will establish how much damage was done to the budget.

Updated (22.10, 19:00): The third member of the association, who sought out the firms and made the first contact with them, is Hristo Shirokov, the DPS regional leader in Burgas, local media reported. He is charged in the case and is under house arrest in a separate case. Prosecutor Miroslav Iliev said Belitsa council's public contracts are not part of these proceedings.