President of Bulgarian Soccer Club Botev Plovdiv Shot and Killed
Iliyan Filipov, a prominent businessman, was found dead near his home in Plovdiv early Wednesday.
SOFIA, Bulgaria -- The president of a top-flight Bulgarian soccer club and prominent businessman was shot dead early Wednesday in the city of Plovdiv, police reported.
Iliyan Filipov, 53, president of the soccer club Botev Plovdiv and owner of a major transport company, was killed near his home in Bulgaria's second-largest city around 1 a.m. Police received a call about a person injured by gunfire, according to local police chief Vasil Kostadinov. Officers responding to the scene confirmed his death and initiated an investigation.
Pre-trial proceedings have begun, and authorities are examining the crime scene. No motive for the killing has been revealed, nor has any official information about suspects been released.
Mafia-style killings of public figures were common in Bulgaria during the 1990s. The current incident has caused shock in the country, which is also in the midst of a heated campaign for presidential elections scheduled for next month.