Bulgarian fugitive Stanislav Stamenov released by Western Cape High Court
Stanislav Stamenov appears in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court as his extradition case continues. He is due back in court today following a high court order for his release.
Image: Murray Swart/ Cape Argus
Bulgarian national, Stanislav Stamenov, is due back in court on Monday as his extradition case continues, after the Western Cape High Court ordered his release from custody.
Stamenov, 40, who is wanted in Romania to serve a 16-year prison sentence for drug trafficking, had been in custody for about six weeks following his arrest in Cape Town at the end of February.
The High Court ruled on April 15 that his continued detention beyond 40 days was unlawful and set aside a lower court directive that had extended his custody.
The high court ruling relates to provisions of the European Convention on Extradition, which generally limit detention to 40 days if a formal extradition request and supporting documents have not been received.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed the court order but said the NPA was not involved in the release process.
“I can confirm the order of the high court for his release. I cannot confirm when he was released, we are not involved in that,” he said.
Enquiries were sent to his legal representative, William Booth, prosecutor Maresa Engelbrecht and the Department of Correctional Services, but no responses were received by deadline.
Stamenov was arrested after authorities acted on an Interpol Red Notice issued at the request of Romanian authorities.
At the time, he had been living in Constantia and working as a personal trainer.
In earlier proceedings in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court, the State opposed bail, arguing that Stamenov posed a flight risk and had allegedly obtained South African permanent residence through misrepresentation.
Affidavits before the court also raised concerns about his immigration status, with Home Affairs indicating it may move to withdraw his permanent residence.
Stamenov has maintained that he is not a flight risk, citing his family ties in South Africa and cooperation with authorities.
He is expected to return to the Wynberg Magistrate's Court on Monday for the continuation of the case.
Attention is now likely to shift to whether Romania submits the required extradition documents and how South African authorities proceed following the high court’s ruling.