Clients shocked as questions raised over Interpol Red Notice linked to Virgin Active trainer
Clients of popular Virgin Active trainer Stamenov Stanislav Sevdanilov are grappling with the news allegedly linking him to an Interpol alert for drug trafficking, the Cape Argus reports.
The Bulgarian national is reportedly wanted by Romanian authorities, although South African officials have yet to confirm his identity or the situation at large.
Described by clients as warm-hearted and generous, Sevdanilov’s sudden association with such serious allegations has left many reeling.
“I’m seriously heartbroken,” said one dedicated client, who wished to remain anonymous. Despite her sentiment, she could not ignore the gravity of the claims. “He’s a great guy with a beautiful wife and a lovely daughter. Everyone who worked with him loved him.”
Details about Sevdanilov’s background and the link to criminal activity are still emerging. While the Western Cape police have refrained from confirming an arrest or an ongoing investigation, the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) shed light on a separate ongoing investigation related to the May 2023 murder of four Bulgarian nationals in Constantia.
Speaking to the Cape Argus, Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani acknowledged there exists a case number corresponding to this tragic incident, but did not elaborate on Sevdanilov’s involvement.
The allegations stemming from Interpol suggest that Sevdanilov is connected to a long-standing investigation involving a significant organised drug-trafficking network in Romania. A 2009 press release from Romanian prosecutors cites a Stamenov Stanislav Sevdanilov in connection with the seizure of nearly two kilograms of heroin, suggesting a historical precedent that casts a shadow over the trainer’s personal image.
As reports surfaced, Sevdanilov’s profile as a personal trainer on the Constantia Virgin Active website was promptly removed. It is understood that he has since been suspended, pending the outcome of investigations, the Cape Argus reported.
A client reported an instance reflecting his generous nature: “He even let my husband and children join my training sessions. He gave us all personalised Christmas gifts. That’s the kind of person he was.”
As the situation unfolds, concerns and anxieties grow among those who have trained with him. “I just can’t make sense of it,” one client shared, expressing the difficulty of reconciling her personal experiences with the allegations now linked to his name.
When approached for comments regarding Sevdanilov’s status, calls to his cellphone went unanswered, and inquiries to Virgin Active’s head office received no response. Interpol has clarified that a red notice is not an arrest warrant but a request to locate and provisionally arrest an individual pending legal proceedings in their home country.
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