Bulgaria Court Rules to Keep Alleged Top Criminal Boss in Jail

Krasimir Marinov aka the Big Marguin, is escorted by the police Saturday from the courtroom after the magistrates ruled to keep him behind bars over charges of plotting the murder of controversial journalist, Bobi Tsankov. Photo by BGNES

The Sofia District Court ruled Saturday to keep alleged top criminal boss, Krasimir Marinov, aka the Big Marguin, behind bars.

Marinov is charged with plotting and ordering the murder of controversial journalist, Bobi Tsankov, who was gunned down on January 5 in broad daylight on a busy Sofia boulevard. Tsankov was known for his ties with the mafia and for publications revealing the dark secrets of the underworld.

The prosecution says the plotting of the murder happened between November 2009 and January 5 and that Marinov’s younger brother, Nikolay aka the Little Marguin, whose whereabouts are unknown, should also be charged. The Little Marguin was found on the day of the murder, around 5 pm near Sofia's “Moscow” hotel, but was released because of a missing arrest warrant. Shortly after that the police have decided they needed him for the investigation, however, he was already in the hiding.

The main motive of the prosecution to request permanent detention for the Big Marguin is that they have witness accounts Tsankov feared for his life and evidence the Marguins have ordered the murder to stop the journalist from disclosing what he knew about them. The second motive is that there is a strong possibility Krasimir Marinov will try to hide if released from jail.

The Marguins face 15 to 20 years behind bars if proven guilty of the charges.

The defense lawyer, Trendafil Trendafilov countered that the prosecution did not have any concrete evidence Krasimir Marinov had ordered the murder and accused the magistrates of holding a TV court room drama process with the exchange of unfounded statements. Trendafilov also pointed out that Tsankov had discharged his bodyguards in December, a proof, he said, that he did not fear for his life.

Marinov, himself, told the magistrates he does not want to be in jail and does not know why he is charged.

The prosecution points out that the physical perpetrator of the murder remains unknown, but the killing had been premeditated and was executed in a way that put many lives in danger.

The court’s decision can be appealed with the Sofia Appellate Court.

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