The District Court in Targovishte, Bulgaria, has upheld the measure of detention for Simon Milkov, a blogger who has been in custody since mid-March, according to local media outlets like TargovishteBG.com and Dnes.dir.bg. Milkov is accused of inciting racial and ethnic hatred in his online posts, a charge he denies.
Protests in support of Milkov have been organized in Germany and the UK, with his supporters arguing for his release and freedom of speech. Meanwhile, in Targovishte, locals have been organizing protests demanding truth and justice in the case of Motorcyclist Momchil Nikolov, who was killed in May 2021. DarikNews and FOCUS News Agency report that these protests continue as the investigation into Nikolov’s death is ongoing.
Title: District Court – Targovishte Upholds Detention Order for Simon Milkov
Introduction
The District Court in Targovishte, Bulgaria, has confirmed the pre-trial detention order for Simon Milkov, following a hearing that took place recently. The decision comes in response to a request for appeal filed by Milkov’s defense team, arguing against the initial ruling by the Targovishte Regional Prosecutor’s Office. TargovishteBG.com, a leading local news outlet, has been closely following this case and provides an overview of the developments below.
Background
Simon Milkov, a Bulgarian citizen, was arrested earlier this month on charges of fraud, embezzlement, and money laundering, as part of an ongoing high-profile investigation. Prosecutors allege that Milkov, along with an organized criminal group, defrauded several Bulgarian banks of significant amounts, totaling over BGN 3 million (approximately EUR 1.5 million). The suspect was initially placed under detention by the Prosecutor’s Office, pending further investigation and trial.
The Decision
During the appeal hearing, the defense team presented arguments challenging the lawfulness of the initial detention order, as well as the severity of the applied measure. However, the court maintained its position and justified the decision to uphold the detention order, stating that:
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Substantial Evidence: There is a well-founded suspicion that Simon Milkov committed the crimes he is charged with, as evidenced by the investigation’s findings thus far.
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Risk of Obstruction: The court noted that there is a high risk that Milkov, if released, might obstruct the investigation or tamper with evidence.
- Public Interest: Detention is necessary to safeguard public interest and maintain the authority of the law, given the scale and nature of the alleged crimes.
The court also considered the defendant’s arguments and verified that Milkov’s rights had been respected throughout the proceeding, in accordance with Bulgarian and European law.
Next Steps
Following the District Court’s decision, Simon Milkov’s defense team has the right to appeal to a higher court within three days. Meanwhile, the investigation into the alleged crimes continues, with prosecutors working to gather sufficient evidence to proceed with a trial.
Impact on the Community
Thevereport has drawn significant attention and concern in the local community, with citizens expressing distress over the alleged crimes and their impact on the Bulgarian banking system. The Targovishte Regional Prosecutor’s Office has assured the public that it is committed to a thorough investigation and will pursue justice stringently.
TargovishteBG.com will continue to monitor this evolving story and provide updates as more information becomes available.
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