Burgas Appeal Court is hearing appeals today from Sungurlare mayor Dimitar Gavazov and Belitsa mayor Radoslav Revanski against their arrests. Residents of both municipalities protested outside the Palace of Justice in support of them.

Officers from the organised crime agency GDBOP detained the two men on 20 and 21 October. On 22 October, a week ago, Burgas Regional Court ordered both to be held in custody.

What happened before: Burgas appeals court to rule finally on detention of Belitsa and Sungurlare mayors

Protesters carried banners reading "We are with you, Mr Gavazov" and "Freedom for Revanski". They chanted "Freedom" when the hearing began. DPS MP Kalin Stoyanov also joined the protest.

"We are here to stand against the heavy-handed show of force by the ruling parties against mayors and supporters of DPS," Stoyanov told BTA. He said he sees "enormous bias" in the actions of those in power. Stoyanov added: "It is high time this show of force stopped. Today it is them, tomorrow it could be anyone else."

The mayors were brought into the courtroom under escort, with their lawyers. Relatives of both men were inside. Prosecutors also submitted new witness interviews to the court.

Burgas Regional Prosecutor's Office charges Gavazov and Revanski with taking part in a criminal conspiracy to trade in influence. The case concerns public procurement in Sungurlare municipality. Hristo Shirokov, DPS regional chair in Burgas, is also charged in the case.

Prosecutor Krasimira Kateliyeva of Burgas Appeal Prosecutor's Office said the evidence so far points to a plot to decide which firm would win the contract. She said that at this stage the charge does not have to be proven in full, and that evidence of involvement is enough. Kateliyeva said the legal description of the offence is provisional and may change as the investigation goes on. In her view, the toughest measure was rightly imposed on both men.

Prosecutors believe Gavazov could influence witnesses, hide evidence or commit another crime. They say witnesses have stated that they fear him and were put under pressure.

In Revanski's case, prosecutors justify the arrest by his public position as mayor and as chair of the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria. They also cite witness statements about fear of him.

Revanski's defence gave the court a letter from the head of Burgas prison to Belitsa municipality. The mayor's lawyer said the letter states that Revanski will be able to vote from custody in Burgas. The defence said the letter was sent hours before the Regional Court decided on the measure.