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5 clusters · 110 sources · 5 days · First seen · Last updated

Assassination of businessman Iliyan Filipov

Overview

On September 30, 2026, Iliyan Filipov, a 53-year-old influential businessman, owner of the transport and construction company PIMK, and president of the Bulgarian first-division football club Botev Plovdiv, was assassinated in the Hristo Smirnenski neighborhood of Plovdiv. The shooting occurred around 1:00 AM in the foyer of a residential building, where Filipov was shot once under the eye.

Slavcho Megerov, 51, has been charged with the premeditated murder of Filipov. Megerov was apprehended in Sofia approximately 20 hours after the incident following a large-scale police operation. On October 4, the Plovdiv District Court ordered the detention of Megerov, granting the prosecution’s request for the strictest preventive measure. The court cited a chain of circumstantial evidence, including security camera footage that tracked Megerov’s movements in a Peugeot vehicle, which investigators identified as belonging to his sister. Evidence also suggests he disposed of clothing and shoes in a container.

The prosecution identifies the primary motive as personal, stemming from unsettled financial disputes involving illegal sports betting, often referred to as ‘cherno toto’, with sums reportedly ranging between 15,000 and 20,000 BGN. While witnesses, including Lyudmila Racheva, reported seeing a masked man with a handgun near the scene, defense attorney Dilyana Agova maintains there is no direct evidence and that the murder weapon has not been found. Criminal experts noted that the use of a single shot suggests an impulsive act rather than a professional contract killing. Investigators continue to probe for potential orchestrators or accomplices.

Filipov’s funeral is scheduled for Wednesday, October 7, at 11:00 AM in the ritual hall of Trauren Park ‘Sever’ in Plovdiv.

Entities

Iliyan Filipov · Botev Plovdiv · Slavcho Megerov · Plovdiv · Ministry of Interior

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Coverage disagrees

Sources make claims that cannot both be true. CLSTR reports the disagreement; it does not decide who is right.

  • "Slavcho Milkov is officially charged with the premeditated murder of Iliyan Filipov." www.dennews.bg · trafficnews.bg

    vs

    "Slavcho Megerov, aged 51, has been detained and charged with premeditated murder in connection with the killing." viaranews.com

    The claims provide different names for the accused: Slavcho Milkov versus Slavcho Megerov.

Timeline

  1. [CRIME] 7 sources
    Iliyan Filipov funeral scheduled following Plovdiv murder

    The funeral for PIMK owner and Botev Plovdiv president Iliyan Filipov will be held on October 7 in Plovdiv following his murder on September 30.

  2. [CRIME] 18 sources
    Slavcho Megerov remains in custody for murder of Iliyan Filipov

    Slavcho Megerov remains in custody in Plovdiv, accused of the premeditated murder of businessman Iliyan Filipov, allegedly motivated by disputes over illegal sports betting.

  3. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Botev Plovdiv president Iliyan Filipov shot dead in Bulgaria

    Botev Plovdiv president and businessman Iliyan Filipov was fatally shot in Plovdiv. His son, Kostadin Filipov, will take over leadership as fans prepare a massive tribute match.

  4. [CRIME] 22 sources
    Slavcho Milkov charged with murder of businessman Iliyan Filipov

    Slavcho Milkov has been charged with the premeditated murder of Plovdiv businessman and Botev Plovdiv president Iliyan Filipov, allegedly due to unsettled financial disputes.

  5. [CRIME] 99 sources
    Iliyan Filipov, Botev Plovdiv owner, assassinated in Plovdiv

    Bulgarian businessman and Botev Plovdiv owner Iliyan Filipov was shot dead in Plovdiv. Authorities have charged Slavcho Megerov with premeditated murder, citing personal financial disputes as the motive.

Sources

072info.com · 24-ore.com · 40ton.net · a-specto.bg · abola.pt · actualno.com · aktuelno.me · apr-news.fr · archynewsy.com · bgvoice.com · bigportal.ba · blick.ch · bpost.bg · breaking.bg · burgasmedia.com · clubz.bg · correiodamanha.pt · cretaone.gr · crimes.bg · csakfoci.hu · defakto.bg · deia.eus · dennews.bg · dobrudjabg.com · dsport.bg · e-radio.gr · ekriti.gr · ep01.epimg.net · espreso.co.rs · euronews.bg · expres.mk · extra.ie · fakti.bg · fehmarn24.de · fjala.al · gong.bg · gsp.ro · hip.ba · hna.de · ilfattoquotidiano.it · ilpallonegonfiato.it · iskra.bg · kliuki.bg · kohajone.com · kreiszeitung.de · kurir.rs · larazon.es · libertaddigital.com

This summary has been updated 13 times: see revision history