Sofia's appeal court has upheld the permanent detention of Vasil Mihaylov, known as the "prosecutor's son". The ruling is final.

The court backed the decision made earlier by Kyustendil district court. Mihaylov is serving out the rest of his sentence at Samoranovo prison and will stay there under the detention order. Kyustendil court took up the case over a European arrest warrant issued by Greece, which wants him detained.

Prosecutor Rositsa Slabakova said permanent detention is the only fitting option given Mihaylov's record. He faces several charges, including a violent assault, and spent more than nine months on the run, she said.

His lawyer, Ivaylo Yurukov, said the crimes carry heavy penalties under Greek law and could mean a life sentence, but the arrest warrant itself lacks documents to back up the claim of guilt. A lighter measure would carry no risk of Mihaylov fleeing or committing another crime, the lawyer argued.

At the start of the hearing, Mihaylov said he would not take off his hood because he had changed his appearance and did not want to be photographed. A long beard showed beneath his jacket. The court fined him 250 euros for keeping the hood on in the courtroom.

Given the chance to make a final statement, Mihaylov said he had nothing to say.

Updated (01.10, 15:12): The Sofia district court says the ruling ordering Vasil Mihaylov held in permanent custody is not final, despite earlier reports that it was, and can still be appealed. Mihaylov also faces charges of coercion and making death threats. He has three previous convictions on separate charges, and his prison term at the Samoranovo facility ends on October 14. His lawyer, Ivaylo Yurukov, had asked for the court and the prosecutors on the case to step aside, but the requests were turned down. The hearing on his extradition to Greece is set for October 16.