Story perspectives

Bulgaria’s Botev Plovdiv president shot dead in murder probe

By Drooid · Sep 30, 2026, 2:44 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Iliyan Filipov, president of Botev Plovdiv, was shot dead in Plovdiv around 1 a.m. on September 30, 2026.
Filipov also owned PIMK, one of Bulgaria's largest transport and logistics firms.
Police blocked Plovdiv's main entry and exit points shortly after the shooting.
Authorities opened a murder investigation and pre-trial proceedings without revealing a motive.
Prosecutor Vanya Hristeva said investigators are actively pursuing all leads.

History

Historical Context

On 7 September 1978, Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov was jabbed with a ricin-laden pellet from an umbrella on Waterloo Bridge and died four days later. The attack was tied to the Bulgarian Secret Service and, reportedly, the Soviet KGB, showing Cold-War use of covert poison. The 30 September 2026 shooting of a Bulgarian football leader revives fears that elite Bulgarians remain targets.

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Story summary

Iliyan Filipov, president of Botev Plovdiv, was shot dead in Plovdiv around 1 a.m. on September 30, 2026.
Filipov also owned PIMK, one of Bulgaria's largest transport and logistics firms.
Police blocked Plovdiv's main entry and exit points shortly after the shooting.
Authorities opened a murder investigation and pre-trial proceedings without revealing a motive.
Prosecutor Vanya Hristeva said investigators are actively pursuing all leads.

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