Owner of Ill-Fated Yambol Bus Released Under House Arrest

The 30-year-old Bulgarian-made "Chavdar-Setra" 11M4 bus caused the tragic accident near the city of Yambol, resulting in 17 deaths. Photo by BGNES

The Appellate Court in Bulgaria's Black Sea city of Burgas released under house arrest the owner of the bus that killed 17 people near Yambol on May 28.

So far the owner of the transport company "MSI", Slav Slavov, is the only individual officially charged in the case and has been under permanent detention.

The driver has been only questioned as a witness.

Slavov's defense council asked the Court to release his client because the technical inspection had shown that the bus breaks were functioning.

Slavov's attorney claimed the accident happened due to driver's mistake because he lost control over the bus.

Slavov pleaded not guilty and said he had an agreement with the driver, Gospodin Gospodinov, to use his services on May 28 and on May 26 appraised him about the bus' technical state.

A while ago Gospodinov said his only fault was that he got on the bus without knowing its technical condition.

The magistrates also took into account the fact that Slavov does not have a criminal record and has fully collaborated with the investigators.

The bus owner is charged with causing the death of more than one person due to recklessness - a crime punishable by 5 to 15 years behind bars.

The Prosecutor is accusing Slavov of not inspecting the bus and other violations of the requirements for transporting passengers.

The Prosecutor claims witness questioning has revealed the bus was in poor technical condition and the defendant could hide or commit a similar crime.

 

 

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