Underworld Boss Denies Role in Bulgarian Journalist Shooting

Stefan Bonev a.k.a. Jacket (Sako) (L) was recently granted a BGN 6000 bail in the case against him over threatening the life of Bobi Tsankov. Photo by BGNES

Alleged drug kingpin Stefan Bonev a.k.a. Sako has denied allegations he may be behind the murder of Bobi Tsankov, a prominent radio journalist and author of a book on Bulgaria's gangsters, who was shot and killed Tuesday in the capital Sofia.

“Why should I do that? Because he wrote a book? Well, he may write as many books as he wants. Who am I to tell him not to write, why should I care?”, Stefan Bonev said when approached by the private national bTV channel.

“I am not a murderer and would never wish such a death to any man. I am sorry that this has happened,” Bonev said.

Shortly after the news of the murder broke, Martin Radoslavov, Editor-in-Chief of the popular weekly tabloid “Weekend”, where Bobi Tsankov published most of his investigations, said the writer may have fallen victim to underworld gangs feud or the vengeance of a drug kingpin.

Asked who is behind Tsankov's murder, Radoslavov did not rule out the name of Stefan Bonev, who was recently granted a BGN 6000 bail in the case against him over threatening the life of Bobi Tsankov.

“Let the the death of Bobi Tsankov lie on the conscience of the lawyer, who granted Sako a negligible bail. Bobi had warned them that his life is in danger”, Radoslavov said.

He pointed out that for the last two months Tsankov had hired two bodyguards, who are said to be linked to Zlatomir Ivanov aka Baretata, another underworld boss, whose relations with Sako were rather tense lately.

“I can not say for sure whether Sako is behind Tsankov's murder. It may be that he has fallen victim to the battles between two feuding underworld gangs,” "Weekend" Editor-in-Chief said.