Sofia City Court transfers Blagomir Kotsev case to Supreme Court

Sofia City Court has transferred corruption proceedings against Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev to Bulgaria’s Supreme Court of Cassation for potential reassignment, citing geographic considerations after determining all five defendants and most witnesses reside in the coastal city. Prosecutors charged Kotsev alongside municipal councilors Nikolay Stefanov and Yordan Kateliev, media adviser Antoaneta Petrova, and entrepreneur Ivaylo Marinov with operating a criminal network that demanded kickbacks from public procurement winners across a dozen instances.

Kotsev has remained detained since authorities arrested him during an anti-corruption operation months ago, continuing to hold his mayoral position from custody. Marinov secured release shortly after initial detention, while the two councilors transitioned to home confinement. The indictment alleges the group exploited official positions to solicit bribes through various arrangements, with charges also touching an unnamed member of parliament.