Case Against Kotsev and Four Others at Varna District Court.

In addition to Kotsev, municipal councillors Nikolay Stefanov and Yordan Kateliev, former head of the mayor’s office Antoaneta Petrova and businessman Ivaylo Marinov are also standing trial.

The indictment covers a total of 12 alleged crimes, including bribery, coercion and money laundering. The mayor himself faces serious charges of criminal conspiracy, soliciting bribes and coercion. Kotsev and the councillors have been released on bail, while the other two defendants are under a signed undertaking not to leave.

The case materials total 70 volumes, and two of the witnesses have protected identities, the press office of the local district court said.

The case was temporarily suspended in the spring because Stefanov and Kateliev took part in the parliamentary elections as candidates for MPs. After it was transferred to Varna, the case was halted in early spring because of their inclusion on the PP-DB list in Varna. Later, the unknown person, who according to witness testimony is Asen Vasilev, was separated from the case and the proceedings were moved to Varna.

If the court rejects the request, it will allow the case to proceed and set a date for the first hearing on the merits.

Bilyana Yakova has requested to be constituted as a private prosecutor in the trial. She has filed a claim against Kotsev for EUR 30,000 in non-pecuniary damages.

The prosecutors from the Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office are Ahmed Kokoev and Georgi Ivanov. Kotsev spent about five months in custody last year.