Supreme Court rules: Company linked to the mayor of Varna owes 383,000 BGN for properties in the Sea Garden

Final decision: The state reclaims properties in the Sea Garden

After a four-year legal saga, the Supreme Court of Cassation (SCC) has put an end to the dispute over two state properties in the "Saltanat" area in Varna. The court upheld the decision of the Appellate Court, which awards compensation of 383,522 BGN for the unlawful use of land plots with a total area of 3,500 sq. m.

The case is the result of a large-scale audit of state property, ordered in 2022 by the then-Regional Governor Mario Smarkov.

Case details

According to information from BNT, the company sentenced to pay the amount is linked to the family of the current mayor of Varna, Blagomir Kotsev. The amount is distributed as follows:

• Over 275,000 BGN for the first property;
• Over 108,000 BGN for the second property;
• Additional legal interest is accrued until final payment.

The decision of the SCC is final and not subject to appeal. The company is obliged to immediately hand over possession of the state lands.

Why is this case important?

Mario Smarkov, who initiated the audits in the Sea Garden during his second term as regional governor, emphasized that the Regional Administration will continue to uphold the state's interest and exercise control over the lawful use of public assets.