Sungurlare deputy mayor Habibe Kodzhaisuf will take over the duties of mayor Dimitar Gavazov, who remains in custody. Gavazov himself signed an order naming her as his stand-in, the municipality said.

Last night Burgas regional court kept him and the mayor of Belitsa in custody.

Earlier on this story: Sungurlare staff and residents rally outside Burgas court to back their mayor

Three people are charged: the two mayors and Hristo Shirokov, the regional leader of the DPS party in Burgas. Prosecutors accuse them of conspiracy to trade in influence.

The probe covers four public procurement deals by Sungurlare municipality worth €7m. Prosecutors say Gavazov used criminal influence to push municipal staff to pick certain firms as contractors. They also say the three took a share of the money the contractors received.

Under the Local Government Act, holding a mayor in custody does not end his powers.