Burgas district court has swapped pre-trial detention for house arrest with an electronic tag for defendant H.Sh., the court's press office said, phone 056 879 453. The second defendant, M.S., remains under house arrest too, also wearing a tag.

Both men are charged with taking part in an organised crime group. The case reached the court after the defendants and their lawyers filed private appeals.

Prosecutors say the group was set up for profit to commit crimes in Bulgaria, and that officials took part in it. The charge falls under article 93, point 20 of the criminal code, and the group's aims were crimes under articles 143, 282 and 304b, which carry more than three years in prison. Besides H.Sh. and M.S., the charges also name Ts.M., D.D. and people not yet identified. The alleged acts span from February 2024 to 14 July 2026, in the Burgas region.

Judges say the case against H.Sh. still stands, and that the seriousness of the charge and other facts in the case have not changed. But since the last ruling on his detention, a new fact has emerged: a further medical report shows his health has worsened after heart surgery. The court said pre-trial detention could not continue when it clashes with his health and stops him getting the treatment and rehabilitation he needs.

For M.S., no new evidence has come forward to cast doubt on his suspected involvement or on the real risk that he could commit a crime.

The ruling can be appealed by the defence or challenged by prosecutors, before the appeal court in Burgas within three days.