In a statement released Jan 25, a senior Bulgarian prosecutor said police have linked the 2014 murder of hotel and nightclub owner Borislav Mandzhurkov in Varna to those of construction entrepreneur Mitko Damyanov and his wife Nataliain Sofia earlier this month. Both attacks, according to the statement, were orchestrated by a nine-man criminal gang.
The group is believed to be headed by nationally-wanted Radoslav "Black Roddy" Kalchev, who fled Bulgaria on Jan. 11. Seven of the group have been arrested: Nikolay "The Chirpansky" Toshev; Galin "Zhorko" Mirchev; Miroslav Mihaylov, Deyan Mihaylov, Petar "Petreto" Blagoev, Hristo "Topolskya" Georgiev, and Nikolay "Mazniya" Illyev. One more member, Nedyalko "Chewbacca" Tzvetkov, is also still on the run.
Mirchev and Tzvekov are charged with shooting to death both businessmen as well as Natalia Damyanova. However, according to prosecutors, the group also controlled the Bulgarian prostitution market and was involved with drug distribution, arson and extortion. Most members of the organization, which Sarafov describes as aggressive and brutal, have already served prison sentences.
According to Sarafov, police say the group was paid about €30,000 (US$26,700) for the murder of Damyanov and nearly as much for the 2014 murder of Mandzurkov. Sarafov also said that Damyanov was not a target, but a victim of circumstance.
