Svishtov Court sentences pair for animal cruelty and video distribution

The District Court in Svishtov has issued effective prison sentences to Anita Vachkova and Detelin Avramov for systemic animal cruelty and the distribution of torture videos online. The crimes, which spanned over a decade from approximately 2013 to 2024, involved the killing of vertebrate animals in particularly cruel ways.

According to the prosecution, the pair filmed these acts and sold the footage through closed Telegram channels and pornographic websites, with some videos fetching thousands of euros. Investigators identified between 81 and 82 specific acts of cruelty.

Vachkova was sentenced to two years in prison and a fine of 1,100 euros. Avramov received a sentence of two years and four months, along with a fine of 1,100 euros. The defendants, who appeared in court wearing hoods, pleaded guilty, allowing the case to proceed under an expedited judicial procedure. The sentences will be served under a general regime, with time already spent in pre-trial detention to be deducted from their terms.