Stoyan Kolev, a man from Burgas known on social media as "Achilles of Troy", faces up to 5 years in prison or compulsory psychiatric treatment. Which one depends on whether he was of sound mind when he committed the acts he is charged with.

Pazardzhik District Court refused to replace his detention with a milder measure, so he stays in custody.

See also: Pazardzhik court keeps Burgas TikToker Stoyan Kolev in custody

Prosecutors charge him with driving after taking cocaine and with hooliganism on the Trakia motorway and at the courthouse in Pazardzhik.

The case file holds six medical reports on bipolar disorder. They are 10 years old and do not relate to the specific charge. A seventh report, from a forensic psychiatrist, will probably be needed to show his state of mind at the time of the acts.

Article 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code makes such a report mandatory when there are doubts about a person's sanity. A diagnosis of bipolar disorder alone does not remove criminal liability. The next preliminary hearing is on 23 November 2026 at Pazardzhik District Court.

If the court finds Kolev was not of sound mind, he will not be criminally liable under Article 33 of the Criminal Code. The law allows this when a mental disorder meant a person did not understand the nature or meaning of the act, or could not control their actions. In that case he is not sentenced for the act.

Instead, the court can order compulsory medical measures under Article 89, including psychiatric treatment. The law sets no overall maximum for compulsory hospital treatment. The court reviews from time to time whether it should continue.

If Kolev was of sound mind and his guilt is proven, the case goes ahead in the usual way. Article 343b, paragraph 3 sets 1 to 3 years in prison and a fine for driving after taking drugs. Under Article 325, hooliganism while driving a car carries up to 3 years in prison. In cases of exceptional boldness or cynicism, the penalty rises to 5 years.

When there are several offences, the court sets one combined sentence if the legal conditions are met. A suspended sentence is also possible if the requirements of Article 66 of the Criminal Code are met.

The court may rule differently on each act if Kolev's mental state was different at each time. The law also sets a separate procedure under Article 33, paragraph 2, if the disorder began after the offence and stands in the way of criminal liability.