site.btaSocialist MP's Brother Accused of Masterminding Crime Ring in Rousse

Rousse, on the Danube, October 15 (BTA) - Seven men and a woman were charged with extortion after anti-organized crime officers carried out raids and arrests in Rousse on Saturday under the supervision of the Specialized Prosecution Office, the Prosecutor General's Spokesperson Roumyana Arnaoudova said on Sunday. The crime group was masterminded by Iliya Stoilov, brother of Socialist MP Georgi Stoilov. The son of the Rousse Traffic Police Department chief was also among those arrested. The prosecution demanded that the eight be detained indefinitely.

The seven men were accused of participating in (and in the case of Iliya Stoilov, masterminding) an organized crime group which has been active since the beginning of 2015. The group has engaged mostly in extortion. Four of the accused, including the woman, are also charged with a March 30, 2015 kidnapping. The kidnapped man was an employee of Iliya Stoilov's company. As the employee was suspected of theft, he was threatened and forced into signing a promissory note for 100,000 leva. Another member of the group is accused of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

During the law enforcement operation, the officers blocked major entry-exit roads in Rousse, questioned 15 people and searched pawnshops, eating and drinking establishments, a nightclub, homes, offices and motor vehicles. They found metal clubs, pistols, an electric shock prod, ammunition, and knives. The investigation continues.