Bulgaria's Kostenets Gunman Claims Self-defense

Alleged killer, Atanas Stoyanov, is led to the Sofia City Courtroom. Photo by BGNES

The Sofia District Court ruled Wednesday to leave permanently behind bars Atanas Stoyanov, charged with the murder of Stefan Matrochiiski, a businessman from the town of Kostenets near Sofia.

The Prosecutor said the murder was premeditated while the defense council claimed self-defense.

Stoynov, who is a former military man, testified he was attacked and provoked by the victim and first shot in the air with his legally owned gun to scare the attacker away.

The defendant's attorney even said it is possible the victim shot himself in the fight that followed while trying to seize his client's gun.

Stoyanov was arrested Sunday, after relatives led the police to his hiding place. He is the prime suspect in last week's shooting of local businessman, Stefan Matrochiiski.

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