Bulgarian court detains wanted Russian citizen for up to 40 days

Haskovo District Court in Bulgaria ordered Russian citizen Anzor Unezhev held temporarily for up to 40 days on October 13, Bulgarian National Television and the Bulgarian News Agency reported.

The 40-year-old was detained on October 10 in the border village of Sladun after arriving from Turkey. Bulgarian media said he was wanted internationally through Interpol.

Russian authorities have sought Unezhev since 2020 over allegations involving illegal production and dealing in firearms, as well as organising an extremist group.

The court considered his lack of identification documents apart from a driving licence and the absence of a fixed residence in Bulgaria. Unezhev said he had lived in Turkey for 19 years and had political asylum there.

The temporary detention relates to possible extradition proceedings. It is not a decision to surrender him to Russia or a conviction on the alleged offences.