Varna court remands in custody Syrian wanted by Germany for people-trafficking
A Syrian citizen, Mohammad Maamo, wanted by authorities in Germany to face charges in connection with trafficking refugees, will await his extradition in custody, the Appeal Court in Bulgaria’s Black Sea city Varna ruled on October 11.
The Appeal Court upheld a ruling handed down last week by the District Court of Varna, which acted on the basis of a European Arrest Warrant issued by the attorney-general in the prosecutor’s office in the German city of Hof.
German prosecutors have initiated proceedings against Maamo in connection with six crimes related to human trafficking, the court said.
Prosecutors allege that Maamo used different identities in his operations trafficking Syrians.
Defence counsel for Maamo said that he had been a permanent resident in Bulgaria for 23 years, had family in this country and was in poor health.
The Appeal Court found that in line with the relevant law, the Extradition and European Arrest Warrant Act, there were were grounds to remand the accused in custody.
The extradition hearing is due to start in the Varna District Court on October 13.
