Sofia city court accepted eight technical reports today in the case against Vasil Bozhkov and others charged over gambling fraud.

Two of the reports sparked arguments — one on two flash drives, another on a phone. Experts Alexander Genchev and Spas Zahariev said the two flash drives differ in file integrity and their hash values don't match. They said all the devices reached them by courier, sent by the court.

After the hearing, Bozhkov told reporters that the original flash drive, handed over by witness Boyan Naydenov, is missing and experts are now examining a different one. "Nobody knows what's on it. Prosecutor Kanev has hidden it and left another flash drive instead. The prosecution is hiding evidence and making up new evidence," he said. He added: "The original flash drive disappeared and they made another one, which also has nothing much on it."

Bozhkov said the phone included in the report also has no handover record. "It wasn't handed over, but we keep examining it anyway. Where this mystery phone came from, I don't know either," the defendant said. Asked whether these are the very devices meant to hold the recordings in which he allegedly makes threats, he said: "They should be there, but I never threatened anyone in the first place."

Bozhkov also commented on the gambling law changes now under discussion, calling them "largely driven by lobbying."

Asked about his case in the US and about bribes allegedly paid to senior officials, including Boyko Borisov, he said: "I can't comment on anything. All the documents have been filed, we're waiting for the court's decision." Asked if he expects the sanctions against him to be lifted, he said: "Most likely yes, because if the court is impartial, there's no evidence there. I've submitted maybe 1,000 pages, 2,000 pieces of evidence, while OFAC has given nothing — they just put me on the list at the Bulgarian government's request."

Two experts did not show up, so their reports will be heard at the next session. The court set new dates — 28 October, 26 November and 10 December.

Vasil Bozhkov is charged as an instigator who acted together with officials from the state gambling commission who let gambling-law fees go uncollected in full. Prosecutors say this cost the state budget 559,739,164.70 levs.