Bulgaria Appellate Court Leaves Ex Secret Agent in Jail

Crime | April 13, 2010, Tuesday // 20:48|  views

Aleksei Petrov (front) and Marchelo Dzholotov (back) during the Tuesday hearing at the Sofia Appellate Court. Photo by BGNES

The Sofia Appellate Court ruled Tuesday to leave permanently behind bars former secret agent, Aleksei Petrov.

An accomplice, Machelo Dzholotov, is also remaining in jail. The magistrates' main motive was that both, who were arrested on February 10 during the special police ops, codenamed “Octopus,” can commit another crime or attempt witness tempering.

Petrov stated in the courtroom he is in jail for 2 months now only over the ratings, popularity and image of a group of politicians, led by Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov.

The former secret agent of Bulgaria's State Agency for National Security (DANS) defined his arrest as staged, ritual, and humiliating, pointing out he is proud of his record and had never been part of organized crime.

The defense council accused the prosecutors of dragging the case and refusing to acknowledge official information about their client's outstanding service record.

Just before the Easter Holiday, the Sofia City Court ruled to leave Petrov and Dzholotov in jail with the motive public interest is more important than the “innocent until proven guilty” presumption. The rule was appealed by the defendants.

According to the prosecutors, in 1997 Petrov established an organized crime group and remained its ringleader until the arrest while Dzholotov had been a key figure in the organization.

The defendants are charged with racket, prostitution, illegal drugs trade, draining of the now closed steel mill “Kremikovzi” and of the State budget, trading in of influence, money laundering and tax evasion.

From the 14 individuals arrested back in February, only Petrov and Dzholotov remain in jail. The others were released on bail in mid-February.

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Tags: Aleksei Petrov, Octopus, organized crime, DANS, State National Security Agency, Marchelo Dzholotov, Sofia Appellate Court, permanent detention

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