Police officer Petko Atanaschikov found dead in Sofia

Petko Atanaschikov, a 27-year-old junior sergeant in the Security Police of the Sofia Directorate of Internal Affairs (SDVR), has been found dead in his home in Sofia. Preliminary unofficial reports suggest the officer committed suicide using his service weapon.

Atanaschikov was on duty the night before his death, providing security for the Bulgarian Super Cup match between Levski and CSKA. His relatives discovered him after he failed to respond to repeated phone calls.

Atanaschikov gained significant public attention in late 2025 during protests against the 2026 Budget. A video of him using pepper spray and behaving unprofessionally toward protesters went viral, leading to intense social media backlash and accusations of misconduct. At the time, he issued a public explanation, citing extreme stress, adrenaline, and verbal abuse from demonstrators, including an incident where a protester tore his insignia. He had also previously expressed disillusionment with political hypocrisy in personal social media posts.

An investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances of his death, and the SDVR has not yet released an official statement.