Former police officer jailed for harbouring killer
Simona Radeva, a former law enforcement officer, has been sentenced to a final three and a half years imprisonment after the court found she facilitated the escape of Georgi Semerdziев following a fatal collision on Sofia's Cherni Vruh boulevard that claimed two lives.
Former police officer jailed for harbouring killer
A final sentence of three years and six months imprisonment in initial strict regime was confirmed for Simona Radeva, who previously worked in the Interior Ministry system. The magistrates found that she facilitated the disappearance of Georgi Semerdziев from the scene following a serious traffic incident in Sofia in the summer of 2022, in which two women were killed.
The incident occurred on Sofia's Cherni Vruh boulevard. Semerdziев, who had been a footballer in the past, struck the two women with his vehicle and killed them on the spot. He then left the scene on foot, leaving the keys to his apartment in the car. He therefore called Radeva asking for her assistance.
The former police officer responded. She went to the boulevard, brought a ladder, and with its help Semerdziев managed to enter his home. He was apprehended by law enforcement officers there later.
In the proceedings for harbouring a criminal, Radeva was initially sentenced to five years by the district court in the capital. She appealed, however, and the appellate court reduced the sentence. Last week, the final judgment came into force, with the supreme judges confirming a sentence of three and a half years effective imprisonment.
During the trial it was proved that Radeva had been informed of what had happened, acted deliberately and with full awareness in order to help Semerdziев evade detention. She was found guilty on the charge of aiding a criminal.
In separate court proceedings for causing the deaths of the two women and fleeing the scene, Semerdziев was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.
Radeva was dismissed from the Interior Ministry following the discovery of her involvement. She requested postponement of serving her sentence, but the prosecution opposed this. She is expected to be transferred to the correctional facility in Sliven.
Source: 24 Chasa