Varna mayor Blagomir Kotsev: the corruption case so far

Blagomir Kotsev, the mayor of Varna, has not been convicted of any crime; he denies the charges and the presumption of innocence applies. He was detained on 8 July 2025 and released on bail on 27 November 2025, BTA reported. As of 26 October 2026 there is no trial. On 14 August 2026 the Varna Appellate Court sent the indictment back to prosecutors in a final ruling.

Who is the mayor of Varna?

Kotsev, of We Continue the Change (PP), took office on 13 November 2023 after winning the runoff as the PP-DB candidate. While he was in custody, deputy mayor Pavel Popov acted as mayor, BNT reported.

Why was Kotsev arrested, and who else is charged?

The case began with a complaint from the owner of a catering firm. He alleged that a bribe was demanded to keep a municipal contract, according to RFE/RL and Balkan Insight. Prosecutors allege that the defendants took part in a criminal group, solicited bribes and used coercion for material gain (Novinite). The indictment lists 12 offences against five people (BTA): Kotsev, municipal councillors Nikolay Stefanov and Yordan Kateliev, businessman Ivaylo Marinov and Antoaneta Petrova, former head of the mayor’s office.

Kotsev says he has done nothing illegal and that the case aims to remove him from office. His party says the arrest is part of a campaign against the opposition. Its European group, Renew Europe, called it “political repression” (RFE/RL). In court, prosecutors argued that the evidence supports a reasonable assumption that the offences were committed (BTA). Thousands protested in Sofia on 16 July 2025, RFE/RL reported, citing AFP.

Where does the case stand now?

Key dates, according to BTA unless stated otherwise:

• 13 Nov 2025 – indictment filed with Sofia City Court, BTA reported. On 19 November the Supreme Court of Cassation moved the case to Varna.
• 27 Nov 2025 – detention replaced by bail of BGN 200,000 (about €102,000), BTA reported; supporters raised it in about four hours (Balkan Insight).
• 24 Mar – 5 May 2026 – case suspended while Stefanov and Kateliev ran for parliament.
• 30 Jun 2026 – the Varna Regional Court returned the case to prosecutors. It found the indictment unclear on time, place and each defendant’s role (Clubz). Prosecutors saw no serious flaws and appealed.
• 14 Aug 2026 – the Varna Appellate Court rejected the appeal; the ruling is final.
• 23 Oct 2026 – Ruse.news reported that the Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office partly closed the proceedings, saying it could not establish that a sitting MP took part or that the alleged acts were committed in Sofia. That step is subject to court review, and the case continues in Varna. Varna Pulse has not found this in a second source.

What does it mean for Varna?

Kotsev remains the elected mayor while the case is pending. Council decisions, such as the New Year concert budget, still go through the usual votes in the municipal council. For the wider picture see our guide to Bulgarian politics and corruption and the rule of law. Varna Pulse does not take sides.