Systemic Impunity and Power Connections: Unraveling the "Octopus" in Bulgaria

The problem of impunity for crimes in Bulgaria deepens with each passing year, affecting ordinary citizens and undermining trust in the justice system. The case of Nikolay from the village of Ruzhitsa, Yambol region, is a vivid testament to this deeply rooted issue, which, according to "Svoboden Glas," has a direct connection to major tragedies such as the one in Sunny Beach, where a police officer's son hit several people with an ATV.

Nikolay's Tragedy: Burnt Properties and Lost Livelihood

Nikolay, who until recently raised thousands of animals – from 2,000 head of livestock, he has fallen to only 150 – has suffered enormous damage and destruction. His struggle began with the arson of agricultural machinery worth over 3 million leva (later mentioned as 5 million leva) on April 29. Although the perpetrator is known, and there is undisputed evidence, including fingerprints and DNA, the investigation is delayed. Last year, his irrigation systems were also destroyed, again with clear evidence of the perpetrators, but without subsequent action.

Most egregious is the case of the destruction of Nikolay's animal feeding area – fences were destroyed, and feeders stolen. Nikolay himself discovered his stolen feeders and gates, which he had made himself, loaded onto a trailer near a livestock facility belonging to Ivan Kiryakov, known as "Bemkata". He immediately called 112, after which an investigating police officer, Stefan Karadzho, arrived. The police officers saw the trailer, took photos, but took no action. Half an hour after they left, the trailer disappeared, and according to workers, it was taken towards the village of Fakiya.

Prosecutorial Inaction and Involved Names

Despite this undisputed evidence, prosecutors Ana Georgieva and Sara Kostova issued a refusal to initiate pre-trial proceedings, and in another case, they suspended criminal proceedings, stating that "there are no accused persons" and "no precautionary measures have been taken". This inaction allows perpetrators to feel unpunished, as, according to the narrative, they can commit any crime – from assault and rape to organ sales and property seizure – without being pursued by law.

"Bemkata" and the Actions of His Son, Vasil Kiryakov

The family of Ivan Kiryakov "Bemkata" is also involved in other conflicts with Nikolay. Ivan's son, Vasil Kiryakov, drove animals into wheat crops shortly before harvest, causing damage estimated at tens, and possibly hundreds, of thousands of leva. A commission appointed by the mayor of Bolyarovo municipality assessed the damage at 55%, but according to Nikolay, it was about 70-80%. This commission included a person who was in a conflict of interest – the same Vasil Kiryakov, who is the chairman of the municipal agriculture service – Bolyarovo. Last year, without any basis, Vasil Kiryakov provided 800 decares of agricultural land, for which Nikolay has contracts, for use by another person.

Even more serious is the circumstance that the animals driven into the wheat crops were sick with brucellosis and should not have been moved to limit the spread of the infection. Nikolay has filmed evidence of the sick animals and their movement.

Vasil Kiryakov also has a history with law enforcement – he was detained because he failed to comply with a police order and fled in a car, but again, a refusal to initiate pre-trial proceedings was issued. Nikolay also received direct threats to "disappear like Meto Ilinski" and that his "teeth would be personally knocked out".

The Connection: "Papataka" and Political Protections

All these crimes and the systemic impunity begin to become clear with the unraveling of connections between perpetrators and influential figures. A key name that emerges is Nikolay Filipov, known as "Papataka" (or "Patpadaka"). He is called the "auditor in Burgas" and the man who "controls the police". According to the source, he can provide protection and defense in court, the prosecutor's office, and many other places.

It turns out that Ivan Kiryakov "Bemkata" and Vasil Kiryakov "Bemkata" are connected to Nikolay Filipov "Papataka," which explains their confidence and impunity in committing "serial crimes". These people are part of a mechanism for "vote buying" and carry out the "dirty work of those in power," being directly linked to political figures such as Boyko Borisov and Delyan Peevski.

Media Silence and a Call to Awaken

Although these issues have been raised in the National Assembly and at press conferences before national media, there has been no reaction. The source claims that "real crimes are not broadcast" by the media, and one of the top journalists stated that "this topic is forbidden for us to work on".

The "Svoboden Glas" channel promises to soon reveal "the entire circle, the entire scheme, the entire octopus in the country" so that these practices "can stop once and for all". Nikolay's case and many other similar incidents are symptoms of a deep systemic problem that affects the foundations of the rule of law in Bulgaria, much like a tangle of roots beneath the ground, the true scale of the problem remains invisible until it begins to erode the surface.