The Plovdiv District Court left in custody former police officer Todor Lapkov, detained for the murder of a young man in Saedinenie. According to the prosecution, Lapkov shot the victim with an illegal hunting rifle, then dismembered the body and hid it in sacks. However, the defense pleaded that his actions were the result of unavoidable self-defense, BNT reported.
Before the court, Todor Lapkov himself wished to remain in custody, as he fears revenge and encroachment on his farm. The former police officer told his lawyer that on the fatal night he was attacked by the victim with an axe.
Georgi Karparov, lawyer: “He defended himself at a time when, unfortunately, the injured person – the deceased – attacked him with an axe, trying to cut him down. He was faced with an existential threat to protect his life or take it away.“
According to the defense, this is not the first clash between the two men.
Georgi Karparov, lawyer: “My client was attacked a year and a half ago by the same person, when his head was split open, I use this term intentionally, and his right eye was also injured, and the relevant measures were not taken by the law enforcement agencies at that time.“
The murdered Mitko Dimitrov has numerous criminal records, mainly for theft. He also has a sentence – probation. The prosecution, however, claims that Lapkov deliberately killed the 21-year-old man and tried to cover his tracks by dismembering the body and hiding the sacks with him in a shaft next to the farm.
Svetoslava Pencheva, prosecutor at the District Prosecutor's Office - Plovdiv: “At the moment, two charges have been brought against the same person - for a crime under Art. 115 - intentional murder, and for a crime under Art. 339 regarding the possession of a firearm without a valid permit in accordance with the law.“
The detainee has made a confession.
Svetoslava Pencheva, prosecutor at the District Prosecutor's Office - Plovdiv: “Are the motives personal? – Let's put it personally, yes, I believe we will hinder the course of the investigation if I go into any more details.“
If found guilty, the former police officer could face 20 years to life in prison.