3 of Bulgaria's 'Sheiks' Walk out of Jail

Out of the 11 people apprehended in Bulgaria’s Burgas over fuel theft and illegal fuel trade, 4 are fellow police officers. File photo

The District Court in Bulgaria’s Black Sea city of Burgas released three people from the eleven total arrested last Friday during a special police operation codenamed “The Sheiks.”

The three – Valentin Atanasov, a police officer from the Burgas Traffic Police, his brother Zhivko Atanasov and Yanko Penev walked out of jail on their own recognizance. The court ruled there was not enough evidence they took part in the criminal activities.

The Burgas Prosecutor's Office requested earlier permanent detention for nine of the 11 detainees, charged with organized crime involving illegal trade and theft of fuel.

One defendant - Valentin Stanev, police officer from the 1st Burgas Precinct did not appear in the courtroom over a high blood pressure condition. He is listed in a hospital.

The other alleged criminals remain behind bars.

Out of the 11 people apprehended by the police 4 are fellow police officers with Stanev and Atanasov believed to be the ringleaders.

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