Ex-police officer detained for killing and dismembering 21-year-old

Todor Lapkov, a 63-year-old retired police inspector, remains in custody following the killing of 21-year-old Mitko Dimitrov in the Tochilartsi neighborhood of Sredets. Lapkov has confessed to the shooting but his legal team argues he acted in inevitable self-defense.

According to defense attorneys, the incident occurred on August 12 when Dimitrov, who was known to Lapkov and had previously assisted him on his farm, allegedly entered the residence through an open window to commit robbery. The defense claims Dimitrov attacked Lapkov with an axe, prompting the former officer to fire an illegal hunting shotgun.

Following the shooting, Lapkov disarticulated the victim's body and hid the remains in sacks within a shaft to conceal the crime. Lapkov has requested to remain in detention, citing fears of retaliation from the victim's family. He faces charges of murder and illegal possession of a weapon. His lawyers are seeking to reclassify the charge from intentional murder to causing death through exceeding self-defense.