Assassination and police findings
Slavi Binev, the president of the Bulgarian Taekwondo Federation, died from a gunshot wound to the head at his Sofia home on Saturday, October 24. This assassination occurred less than four weeks after Bulgarian businessman and Botev Plovdiv co-owner Iliyan Filipov was killed in front of his house. The three suspects, including two individuals with Turkish names and one person with a Bulgarian identity card, fled the scene in a Lexus before police caught them at kilometer 54 on the Trakia highway. The Minister of the Interior stated that police apprehended the three suspects, who were frequent guests of the businessman, during the pursuit. Investigators identified two weapons with permits at the crime scene, but they find no evidence that this crime was commissioned by any third party. Two of the suspects currently work in the construction industry. This violent event follows the killing of Iliyan Filipov less than a month earlier.
Life of the martial artist and politician
Slavcho Penchev Binev, born in Sofia on December 10, 1965, specialized in martial arts after graduating from the "Emil Markov" Sports Lyceum and studying at the "Vasil Levski" National Academy of Sport. He became a national champion in taekwondo and earned gold medals at both the Balkan and European Championships. He led the Bulgarian Taekwondo Federation starting in 2016 and also founded a martial arts academy. His business interests included construction, mass-media, and entertainment. He began his political involvement 20 years ago, first joining a nationalist party, and later served as a Member of the European Parliament in 2009. He founded the conservative "Miscarea pentru Succes" party in 2012 and joined the National Front for the Salvation of Bulgaria in 2014. The European Taekwondo Union, where Binev served as vice-president and a member of the World Taekwondo Council, expressed condolences to his family, friends, and the Bulgarian taekwondo community. The organization received "with profound sadness the news of the passing of Mr. Slavi Binev" and described him as a "lider dedicat" who contributed to the development of taekwondo in Bulgaria and internationally. The organization noted that Mr. Binev was a leader who made a significant contribution to the promotion of taekwondo in Bulgaria and on the international stage. He leaves behind his wife, Maria Bineva, and five children.
