Plovdiv court upholds detention of 15-year-old in Youth Hill murder case

An appellate court in Plovdiv has upheld the detention of a 15-year-old boy, Christian D., in connection with the fatal assault on Youth Hill. The court rejected the defense's request to change his measure of restraint, citing the severity and nature of the crime and the risk that he might commit another offense. The boy was charged under Article 116 of the Penal Code for murder committed in an especially cruel manner.

The case stems from an August 4 incident where 37-year-old Georgi Kuzev was lured to a meeting by a 17-year-old girl posing as a 15-year-old. A group claiming to be “hunting pedophiles” subsequently subjected Kuzev to a prolonged beating, humiliation, and filming. The attackers also stole 30 euros from him. Kuzev later died in the hospital from his injuries.

Evidence presented in court included video footage and chat logs showing the defendants' actions, as well as bloodstains found on the 15-year-old's clothing. The teenager, who was initially questioned as a witness, was later charged as a defendant after prosecutors analyzed video recordings and witness testimonies. The court's decision is final and not subject to further appeal.