Bulgaria Judge Bribe Case Implicated in Galevi Brothers Trial

Crime | October 19, 2009, Monday // 17:31
Bulgaria District Judge Bribe Case Implicated in Galevi Brothers Trial: Bulgaria Judge Bribe Case Implicated in Galevi Brothers Trial Plamen Galev enters the Kyustendil Court Monday to face racketeering and organized crime charges. Photo by BGNES

There is a connection between the Galevi brothers case and the bribe investigation against the Kyustendil Judge, Yuri Marinov.

The statement was made by the attorney for three of the main witnesses in the Galevi trial, who says the goal of the judge's investigation is to intimidate the Kyustendil magistrates.

Marinov was arrested last week over charges of taking a BGN 24 000 bribe.

Marinov is the judge, who in July ruled to place a distraint on property of the Galevi brothers valued and BNG 4,5 M.

“He was the first one to dare to interfere with Galevi's interests,” the attorney said.

The Galevi defense council, represented by Emil Velinov, qualified such claims inadmissible and a provocation. Velinov is also the defense lawyer for Judge Marinov, and arranged his release on bail.

Earlier Monday, Judge Miroslav Nachev, announced that the proceedings will not be opened for the media per the request of the Galevi defense team over evidence collected through special surveillance devices. The decision was objected by the witnesses' attorney, who stated the classified information is not a matter of national security and there isn't a reason to hold the trial behind closed doors.

One of the civil claimants, journalist Lydia Pavlova, told reporters she was afraid but hopes the Court will issue a just verdict. Pavlova is suing Galevi over threats they made to her son in an attempt to force him to not file charges against people from Galevi's closest circle, who are accused of severely beating the young man.

Plamen Milanov, owner of a cab company in Dupnitsa, who claims he was forced to give cash to Galevi each month, and main witnesses, said he is still unable to find a local attorney willing to defend him and for this reason had requested the postponement of his questioning.

Plamen Galev and Angel Hristov, aka the "Galevi brothers", have been investigated over a long period of time for various crimes in the southwest town of Dupnitsa, (in the western Kyustendil Region), most notably racketeering and organized crime.

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Tags: Dupnitsa, Angel Hristov, Plamen Galev, Galevi brothers, Kyustendil, District Court, judge, Yuri Hristov Marinov, DANS, Almateya Prima

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