Stoyan Kolev Remains in Custody in Pazardzhik

The Pazardzhik District Court kept influencer Stoyan Kolev in custody, even as evidence of a mental illness emerged. The magistrates rejected the request for a lighter measure, arguing their decision based on the previous breaches of home arrest boundaries.

Kolev arrived at the courtroom under heavy police escort and with handcuffs, firmly refused to be photographed by photojournalists, and kept silent throughout the hearing. The only statement before the judicial panel was about the change of defense. The influencer announced that he was dismissing his current lawyers Ilya Kolchev and Teryvel Raev, and his case was taken over by attorney Kristian Mirchev. He requested time to acquaint himself with the investigative materials, which necessitated scheduling the next preparatory hearing for November 23.

The new defense presented six expert analyses from the last ten years, which, according to him, prove that the client suffers from bipolar disorder. The defense additionally cited a personal family tragedy, noting that one of Stoyan Kolev's parents took their own life due to the same illness. On this basis, a request was made to change the measure to a lighter one.

From the other side, the district prosecutor Borislav Petkov opposed release, emphasizing that Kolev has shown disregard for the law and has already violated the imposed house arrest. After a brief discussion, the judicial panel confirmed the harshest non-custodial measure and ordered the defendant to remain behind bars.

All of this comes amid reports of waving a pneumatic rifle on the Trakia Highway and a renewed violation of the non-custodial measure.

Source: DUNAVMOST.com