Bulgaria's 'Belneyski' Murder Case Defendant: I Am Scape Goat

Prominent Bulgarian attorney Marin Markosvski (picture) is the defense counsel in the Bulgarian high-profile "Belneyski" murder case. Photo by bGNES

Lazar Kolev, defendant in Bulgaria's high-profile Belneyski murder case, claims he is a scape goat and the accusations against him were made up.

Kolev made the statement before the magistrates Tuesday, saying the testimony against him of his cell mate has been prompted by the Deputy Chief Prosecutor, Kamen Sinilski and the investigator, Veselen Martinski.

On Monday, the Pazardzhik Regional Court launched, following a 5-year probe, the trial in the sisters Belneyski murder case.

Sisters Rositsa (18) and Kristina (15) Belneyski went missing in January 2006, after leaving a disco bar in the town of Pazardzhik. The sisters were found dead at the beginning of February near the town of Peshtera.

Lazar Kolev, 30, is the only defendant in the case. He declared Tuesday those in attendance in the courtroom will hear very interesting details during his hearing.

Kolev is charged with sodomy, rape and brutal murder. The defense team of prominent Bulgarian attorneys – father and son, Marin and Dimitar Markovski, insists the charges are groundless.

The parents of the murder victims have asked for a life without parole.

Stanislava Gerdzhikova, who had been in the club with the sisters in the night of the murder testified Hristina always carried a cell phone, also used by Rositsa.

Kolev's mother took the witness stand as well and denied she organized a false alibi for her son through her brother, owner of a bread-making company, who, allegedly, had offered Kolev's girlfriend money to say she was with him during the fatal night.

The mother further stated her son is not aggressive or cruel and could not perpetrate the crimes he is accused of. She explained the work Lazar did for his uncle had been very hard and he was constantly monitored by the latter over worries Kolev might end up in jail again – he had served a sentence for the rape of a minor.

The parent did, however, confirm for the magistrates, in 2006 her son had a love relationship with a married woman with two kids and with a minor girl.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!