Bulgarian Court Postpones Again Rule in US Extradition Case

Tears of joy as Gergana Chervenkova heard the decision of the Bulgarian court on Friday morning. She will have one more week to prepare her defence. Photo by Sofia Photo Agency

A Bulgarian mother of two will await another week a court ruling on whether to be handed over to US justice and face nearly 70 years in prison.

At its hearing on July 19 the Bulgarian Court of Appeals delayed yet again its decision whether to pass Gergana Chervenkova to American justice. In the US she may face up to 68 years in prison.

Gergana Chervenkova is facing extradition to the US on allegations of being part of a group for unauthorized online drug trade in her capacity of financial manager for the British company "Euromedonline Ltd."

The US authorities have sent statements, according to which Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents have solid evidence the Bulgarian was involved in the unlawful sale of drugs.

Chervenkova worked in the commercial agency "BG Global Services", which is a service company of "Euromedonline Ltd." Her role was to process weekly reports from the sales system and to calculate the accumulated fees and commissions for doctors and pharmacies based on sales realized through the site. Cherevenkova's responsibilities did not involve selling drugs.

The former Interior Minister from Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party, Tsvetan Tsvetanov, however, stated Chervenkova was the head of the organized criminal group. He also said that her arrest happened due to good cooperation between Bulgarian and US authorities.

“I'm not afraid because I know I'm innocent. I am just worried about how long it will take and that although I am innocent, I may spend time in detention,” Gergana Chervenkova out on a bail of BGN 1000 said in an interview for 24 Hours daily.

“I do not have a lev saved in my banking account, my husband and I have loans to pay to the bank. We never wanted to be rich in the literal sense, we are blessed by our love and the friends that we have.”

On Friday morning, as her daughter turned seven, Gergana had just one wish – to be with her family and her two kids.

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