Ivaylo Kolev remains in custody over Blood and Honour investigation

The Plovdiv Appellate Court has upheld the detention of Ivaylo Kolev, identified by investigators as a leading figure in the local branch of the British neo-Nazi organization ‘Blood and Honour’. The court rejected Kolev’s request to replace pretrial detention with house arrest or bail.

Kolev was originally detained during a joint police and State Agency for National Security (DANS) operation in mid-August at a private club. During that raid, authorities seized swastika flags, posters, and other neo-Nazi literature, resulting in 18 arrests.

Following the initial investigation, prosecutors leveled more severe charges against Kolev on September 21. He is accused of leading an organization aimed at promoting discrimination, violence, and hatred based on origin, ethnicity, political beliefs, and sexual orientation. The court cited new evidence, including testimony from a confidential witness, and noted a high risk that Kolev might flee or commit further crimes if released. The legal penalty for these charges ranges from one to six years in prison.