Mayor Iskender wins appeal, keeps office despite charges

The Plovdiv Court of Appeal has restored Myumyun Iskender to his position as mayor of Mineralni Bani Municipality. Appellate judges reversed an earlier ruling from the Haskovo District Court dated October 21 that had suspended him from his duties. The Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office had requested his removal while pursuing four criminal charges against him. Judges cited his cooperation in providing requested documentation as grounds for allowing him to continue serving. This latest appellate ruling cannot be challenged further.

Earlier this year, Haskovo District Court magistrates had similarly suspended Iskender during separate pretrial proceedings, but appeals court judges also overturned that action. His legal troubles started approximately 12 months ago when anti-corruption officials and prosecutors from Sofia conducted a municipal operation. Authorities detained Iskender along with his children and a staff member, charging all of them with involvement in organized crime. Once the investigators’ deadline passed without further action, he returned to his mayoral responsibilities.