Court keeps head of Rheumatology Clinic in Plovdiv in custody
The Plovdiv District Court has decided to keep Prof. Mariela Geneva-Popova in custody. She is the head of the Rheumatology Clinic at the St. George University Hospital in the city.
Professor Geneva-Popova is accused of participating in a serious misappropriation of funds from the National Health Insurance Fund. According to investigative authorities, the amount in question exceeds 3 million euros. The case has sparked significant public interest due to the scale of the financial irregularities within the healthcare system.
During the court hearing, evidence gathered by the prosecution was presented, linking the doctor to the illegal appropriation of public funds. The defendant's lawyers requested a lighter precautionary measure, but the court determined that there is a risk she could interfere with the investigation or commit another crime if released.
The investigation into the case is ongoing, with more witnesses expected to be questioned and additional documentation to be analyzed. Law enforcement authorities are working actively to determine whether other individuals from the hospital facility were involved in the scheme.
At present, Prof. Geneva-Popova remains in custody. The prosecution is expected to file an indictment in court in the coming weeks, once the collection of all necessary evidence for the case is completed.