The Military Court of Appeal is hearing prosecutors' appeal today against the release of Martin Varadinov from custody. Varadinov, an officer of the National Protective Service (NSO), is charged with causing moderate bodily harm to Sonya Koltuklieva.
The incident happened on the afternoon of 22 October on Hristo Botev Boulevard in Sofia, next to the parliament speaker's car, at the door handle. The Sofia Military District Prosecutor's Office held Varadinov for up to 72 hours. A week ago the Sofia Military Court freed him without imposing a preventive measure.
Where it began: Court frees National Protective Service officer charged with injuring journalist
Military prosecutors want him kept in custody. They say there is a risk he will commit a crime against the justice system, and that there is evidence he committed the offence he is charged with. The first-instance court found that Varadinov was carrying out his official duties during the incident. It also found that the evidence does not show the injury came from a blow by him.
Today prosecutors presented new evidence, witness statements and expert reports. The court accepted them, and the defence agreed to add them to the case file.
Lawyer Tervel Georgiev asked the court to reject the appeal. He says video and technical expert reports show Varadinov took the woman's hand and moved it off the door handle. He says there was no shove.
Georgiev also claims a witness overheard a phone call the woman took before the incident, in which a woman's voice said: "Go ahead, you will be paid." Three people she spoke to afterwards are also witnesses in the case. According to the defence lawyer, they say she was pushed.
Varadinov himself asked the court to uphold the first-instance ruling. Many NSO officers are in the courtroom to support their colleague.
The three-judge panel has retired to consider its decision and is expected to announce it at about 3.30pm.
Follow-up: Court replaces custody with written pledge for National Protection Service officer Martin Varadinov