Bulgarian fugitive Stamenov’s SA residency obtained fraudulently, court hears

The Wynberg Magistrates Court heard that a Bulgarian fugitive wanted by Interpol had been living in South Africa illegally.

Stanislav Stamenov was arrested in Cape Town last month, following the issuing of an Interpol red notice.

Romanian authorities want him to serve a 16-year prison sentence for drug trafficking.

The 40-year-old Bulgarian national is applying for bail.

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The State told the court that Stamenov entered South Africa multiple times between 2011 and 2014 on a visitor’s visa.

Prosecutors said this has been revealed in affidavits from Interpol investigators and Home Affairs officials.

In 2014, Stamenov applied to remain in the country to accompany his wife, who held a valid work permit.

However, Home Affairs investigations later found that his permanent residency, granted in 2019, had been obtained fraudulently through misrepresentation.

Stamenov's South African ID has also been found to have been obtained fraudulently.

The prosecution argued Stamenov was a flight risk and should be denied bail.

His bail application continues in the Wynberg Magistrates Court.