"100,000 euros for a ruined life": Yavor Zlatanov called the compensation "symbolic"

The Sofia City Court ordered the prosecution to pay "100,000 euros" in compensation to businessman "Yavor Zlatanov" due to his unlawful detention. In its motives, the magistrates conclude that his arrest and time behind bars were not dictated by an objective need for the investigation, but served to "take over a business" rather than for an impartial criminal proceeding.

The name of Yavor Zlatanov became publicly known after the revelations of the "Anti-Corruption Fund" that the former investigator "Petyo Petrov" – known as "The Euro" – was trading influence at the "Eight Dwarfs" restaurant. Zlatanov and his father "Iliya Zlatanov" were in a severe conflict over the family elevator manufacturing business, with both accusing Petyo Petrov of "extortion" and pressure.

At the end of "June 2019," the father – Iliya Zlatanov – was advised to seek assistance from Petyo Petrov and visited the "Eight Dwarfs." Just one day later, the then-Prosecutor General "Ivan Geshev" consolidated three case files based on previous complaints by Iliya against his son. Subsequently, a fourth complaint was filed, and an investigation was opened against Yavor Zlatanov.

In "November 2021," the businessman publicly stated that he had been forced to give up his share in the company. "The current court decision has two sides. The first is that it took an important step by officially recognizing my rightness and that the prosecution acted illegally and criminally against me. But this is only a moral victory, because the problem is in the symbolism of the compensation," commented Zlatanov on the air of "Zdravey, Bulgaria" (Hello, Bulgaria).

"I was illegally deprived of liberty with one sole purpose – to be robbed, ruined, crushed, and harassed. I was placed on the edge of death and had to choose between my life and transferring the business to Pepi The Euro," he added, emphasizing that money cannot compensate for what he went through.

When asked if he expects new cases to be filed or further investigations to be launched against individuals mentioned in the case following the court's decision, Zlatanov is categorical: "No, I don't expect it. Because those who bring the charges are subordinates of Pepi The Euro. They deliberately bring the charges in such a way that they cannot be confirmed by any court panel. I am convinced that he still dictates. Until the Supreme Judicial Council is changed, he will be the master of our prosecution."

The businessman admits he is particularly affected by the penalty imposed on Petyo Petrov for the events surrounding his seized valuables. He notes that for the "entire story with the gold and money taken from him," Petyo The Euro was convicted of "document fraud" and must pay a little over "2500 euros." "This shows that in Bulgaria, prosecutors can commit whatever crimes they want and remain unpunished," emphasized Yavor Zlatanov.

He also commented on the purely practical side of the Sofia City Court's decision. According to him, the lawyers from the law firm who worked on his claim for years were awarded compensation of "520 leva." "This is the amount for six years of work. This is the sum the court deemed the prosecution should pay so that I can pay the lawyers on the case. My claim is for 7 million euros," Zlatanov states, pointing out the huge difference between the amount sought and the amount awarded.

In his account, the businessman returns to the dramatic events of "2019." "My small child was born on July 11. On July 17, one day after she was discharged from the maternity ward, they raided our home, dragged me out, took all my cars, all my gold, and all my money. They took over my factory and put me in detention," he recounts.

According to him, his wife, "having just given birth," was forced to shoulder all the efforts to try to restore order alone. "My wife, just having given birth, was forced to start running everywhere to try to fix things. While I was in detention, they threw my security guards out of the factory and took over the enterprise with the help of specialized police forces that were sent by Petyo The Euro," recalls Zlatanov.

He also describes the severe consequences for his health. "I was left without a business while I was locked behind bars. After that, they ruined my health too. They kept me for 36 days with urosepsis in the 'Banishora' detention center. I lost weight down to 68-69 kilograms. I was like a walking skeleton," says the businessman.

According to him, even the doctor at the detention center was worried about his condition. "The doctor in the detention center himself told me every day: 'Yavor, every hour is precious for you. I don't know why the prosecutors are keeping you here instead of letting you get treatment, because we cannot treat you'". In the end, "just before I died," Zlatanov was transferred to "Lozenets" Hospital, where "Dr. Boril Petrov" managed to save his life.

"But the tortures and pressure continued. Until they got what they wanted – the shares of my business," he adds, emphasizing that, in his view, the awarded "100,000 euros" are symbolic against the backdrop of the material and moral damages suffered. Nevertheless, he accepts the decision as an important sign that the court has recognized the illegal actions of the prosecution against him.