THE?TWO?Bulgarians who allegedly stole close to half-million dollars from several ATM?machines across Barbados last October, failed yesterday in their High Court bid to be released from prison.
Justice Maureen Crane-Scott denied an application for bail from the two men, Vladimir Lachezarof Momchilof, 42, and Krasimir Yanakiev Yanakiev, 37, when they appeared in the No. 5 Supreme Court.
The men were represented by Queen’s Counsel Alair Shepherd.
Two women, who were identified as Yanakiev’s wife and Momchilof’s teenage daughter, waited anxiously outside the court in the company of a Bulgarian woman said to be resident in Barbados.
When Shepherd emerged from the hour-long hearing, which was conducted in chambers, the two relatives appeared despondent as he broke the news that the two men would have to remain behind bars at HMP Dodds.
They hurriedly left the court along with their companion while trying to shield their faces from the NATION’s?photographer.
It is understood that Monchilof’s daughter will be leaving the island on Thursday. A source said she came to the bail hearing instead of her mother who works at a bank in Bulgaria, and was not able to get the time off.
Monchilof and Yanakive are both charged with two counts each of money laundering and going equipped.
They were arrested on October 7 at Grantley Adams International Airport after police were alerted to the skimming of the ATM?machines.
It is understood that the men, who are being held in maximum security at Dodds, will return to court on Friday so that the court can discuss their detention circumstances. (MB)
