Bulgaria Keeps Euroroma Leader behind Bars

Tsvetelin Kanchev (pictured) and two more defendants had been arrested at the beginning of December on charges of blackmailing the former Head of Civil Defense, Nikolay Nikolov. Photo by BGNES

Sofia City Court has once again ruled against the request of Euroroma leader Tsvetelin Kanchev to be released on bail on medical grounds.

Tsvetelin Kanchev, Hristo Varbanov and Dimo Stanchev had been arrested at the beginning of December on charges of blackmailing the former Head of Civil Defense, Nikolay Nikolov.

They had demanded EUR 160 000 from Nikolov, threatening to publish incriminating documents if he did not comply.

The session was held behind closed doors, as the case includes printouts of tapped phone conversations.

"The court considers my client's perpetration to be very dangerous for the society," Kanchev's lawyer told reporters after the hearing.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!