Bulgarian fugitive Stamenov remains in custody as bail hearing postponed

The bail application of a Bulgarian fugitive wanted by Interpol was postponed to Tuesday by the Wynberg Magistrate's Court.

Stanislav Stamenov wanted to be released pending his extradition to Romania, where he is to serve a 16-year prison sentence for drug trafficking.

He was sentenced in absentia in 2009 and an Interpol red notice was issued for his arrest in 2018.

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Stamenov had been living in South Africa for over a decade, working as a personal trainer.

The court heard that Stamenov first entered South Africa in 2011 on a visitor’s Visa and was granted permanent residency in 2019.

However, the State argued that his residency had been obtained fraudulently, alleging that he failed to disclose his criminal conviction in Romania.

South African authorities had since deemed him an unsuitable person to remain in the country.

The State opposed bail, citing concerns that Stamenov posed a flight risk.

Proceedings were set to continue next week on Tuesday.