"As of today, there will be no acting mayor of Varna and the position will be held by the legally elected mayor Blagomir Kotsev," said deputy Pavel Popov at a press conference. According to him, Kotsev will fulfill his duties and the practice of appointing an acting mayor will be discontinued, correspondent Daniela Stoynova reported from Varna.

Blagomir Kotsev's detention is becoming increasingly inexplicable as the investigative actions against him have been terminated and the grounds for his detention no longer exist, Popov said, adding that Kotsev is expected to be released in the next few days. He explained that the documents for signature will be sent to Kotsev through lawyers in the detention center and will be returned by courier company.

Kotsev has been in pretrial detention in Sofia since the beginning of July on charges of participating in an organized criminal group with the purpose of demanding bribes.

Editor: Miglena Ivanova

Publication: Al. Markov

Photo: BTA