The Sofia Regional Court has cancelled the police order to detain former finance minister Vladislav Goranov issued back in March. Under the court decision published Wednesday, the National Police has to pay Goranov BGN 490 in court costs.
The decision is not final and can be appealed within 14 days.
The court reasons that a significant violation related to the factual grounds for the detention was made, limiting the right of defence. The court cites a decision of the European Court of Human Rights against Bulgaria reading that an arrest warrant must list specific circumstances or actions of the detainee that give grounds for the arrest, instead of contain just legal provisions.
On March 17, GERB leader and former prime minister Boyko Borissov, former finance minister in his government Vladislav Goranov, and GERB media adviser Sevdelina Arnaudova were detained, only to be released less than 24 hours later without charge. Their arrest was related to pre-trial extortion proceedings on a complaint by exiled former gambling mogul Vassil Bojkov.
The three later appealed the police orders for their detention. On April 14, the Sofia Regional Court found Borissov's detention unlawful.
/DS/
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