Four People have been Accused in the Nexo Case, Witnesses have requested Protection

Four people have been brought in as defendants in the pre-trial proceedings for the activities of the Nexo crypto platform. This was stated by the chairman of the National Investigation Service, Borislav Sarafov.

They are accused of leading and participating in an organized criminal group, created for the benefit of committing domestic and foreign coordinated crimes - money laundering, tax crimes, computer fraud and unlicensed banking. The prescribed penalties for these charges are imprisonment for more than 3 years.

The group started its activity at the beginning of 2018 and has developed it on the territory of Bulgaria, Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Switzerland and the Cayman Islands.

Two of the defendants were given a "cash bail" measure - BGN 1 and 2 million, respectively. The other two are being sought. There is no official data that they left the country.

All the accused have been banned from leaving the country.

"There is evidence that these individuals have extremely large financial capabilities. They have expensive properties in Dubai, the Caribbean islands, the Bahamas and own yachts. In one of the homes searched, 35 paintings by expensive artists such as Salvador Dali, Picasso and Matisse were found and seized which will be handed over to the National Art Gallery," said the spokesperson of the Prosecutor General, Siika Mileva.

During the operation yesterday, a huge number of magnetic data carriers were seized, which are currently being inspected. 17 sites were searched - offices and residential buildings.

20 people were questioned. Some of them - anonymously. Some of the questioned witnesses have expressed concerns for their safety and will be included in the witness...