No translator for Bulgarians’ case

Their matters were transferred to the First Court where they will join fellow countrymen David Nedelchev and Emil Miheliev before Magistrate Christine Charles. When Nedelchev and Miheliev appeared in court on Wednesday, St Lucian translator Ruth Jones was present but because she was only expected to be in the country for one day, she was not present when Gorgiev and Tonchev reappeared yesterday.

At Wednesday’s hearing before Magistrate Charles, the police said they could not provide accommodation for Jones although she was willing to stay in Trinidad for both cases. The lack of a translator is likely to stymie the cases of the four men.

Nedelchev and Miheliev are accused of maliciously causing $2,092.50 damage to RBL machines in Maraval, stealing a keypad from the machine valued $1,575 and for being in possession of bank card skimming equipment. The incident occurred on June 25 and the men were arrested the following day at a guest house in St Ann’s.

Charles was forced to remand the men into custody and adjourn the case to Monday as their Interpol criminal tracing was not available. Georgiev and Tonchev are charged with possession of card making and skimming equipment under the Electronic Transfer of Funds Act and for malicious damage of a Republic Bank automated teller machine (ATM) at Piarco Plaza in Piarco. Georgiev and Tonchev were also remanded into custody.