Man Arrested in Germany for the murder of Bulgarian journalist

21-year-old Severin Krasimirov from Rousse was arrested as a suspect for the murder of journalist Viktoria Marinova. The news was announced at an extraordinary briefing in the Council of Ministers by Interior Minister Mladen Marinov on 10^th of October. Krasimirov was detained late last night in Germany by the local police. According to the investigators, at this stage, it is not considered that there was any preliminary planning of the brutal murder.

According to the interior minister, the collected evidence firmly show that 21-year-old Severin Krassimirov is connected with the murder of Viktoria. The detainee in Germany left Bulgaria a day after the tragedy, on October 7 at 14.02, through Danube Bridge border crossing. Before he was arrested, he changed several addresses on the territory of three federal provinces in Germany.

The detainee is a boxer, and the address he dwelled is near the crime scene. In 2007, Severin was registered with the police for the theft of non-ferrous metals. According to the investigators he used a large amount of alcohol before the murder,.

The prosecutor's office described the damages to Viktoria as extremely brutal and severe. Evidence at this stage indicates that the attack was for sexual abuse.

Mladen Marinov, Minister of the Interior: Another woman was running before the victim, then she returned. The victim went a little further than usual. This makes us think that this is an absolutely accidental act, waiting for opportunity at a certain place.

Sotir Tsatsarov, Chief Prosecutor: At this stage, we can not claim that the murder is related to her professional activity, but again I say the detention of the perpetrator in no way stops the work on all possible versions.

Prime Minister Boyko Borissov complained about the media pressure faced by the state authorities despite his call on Sunday to wait a few days before the information about the investigation was published because it could have interrupted the work of the police.

"Within three days, I have read monstrous things about Bulgaria and not one of them was true. Various politicians, of the red and blue political colour, sent emails and went to explain in Brussels and the US what happened in Bulgaria," he said.

The PM also commented on reactions on the social networs by some European officials from Brussels.

"They poured us with tweets and I will rethink my opinion about the Spitzenkandidat (“lead candidate”). I have read the twits very carefully. We will have a serious conversation in the EPP when I go there," Borissov said.

Severin Krasimirov has been charged in absentia on two counts: of rape and deliberate murder committed in a particularly cruel and painful manner. If he is found guilty, he may be sentenced to life imprisonment without the right of substitute.