Bulgarian rap star Vanko 1, who was arrested in 2003, was released from the Plovdiv prison after a decision of the Supreme Court, Darik News reported.

The magistrates' decision is based on the amendment of article 155 of the Criminal Code where the duration of sentences for pimping is drastically shortened.

Ivan Glavchev, a.k.a.Vanko1, was arrested in May 2003 for money laundering, drug-dealing and pimping. He, together with his father and cousin, was accused of trafficking women to Western Europe, documents forgery and money laundering. Vanko 1's gang operated in Italy, Spain, France and Belgium.

Glavchev was sentenced to 12 years in jail and a fine of BGN 120,000. In August 2004 the Court of Appeals in Plovdiv revised Ivan Glavchev's (known as Vanko 1)  twelve-year sentence to ten years.

Cited in: Sofia News Agency, Bulgarian Rapper Released From Jail, 21 October 2006