Former Bulgarian MEP Slavi Binev shot dead in Sofia in row over €500,000
Turkish businessman Eyup Temiz remains in pre-trial custody, accused of killing Slavi Binev. A financial dispute worth €500,000 is believed to be at the root of the crime.
Suspect remanded in custody following former MEP Slavi Binev's assassination in Sofia
A Turkish businessman was remanded in pre-trial custody after Sofia Municipal Court approved a prosecution request on Tuesday in the case of the killing of former Bulgarian MEP Slavi Binev, according to Gândul, citing Novinite and Mediafax. Eyup Temiz is accused of wilful murder for an attack that took place on Saturday morning at the victim's home in the Bulgarian capital.
Financial dispute seen as possible motive for crime
Bulgarian media have published information about a financial disagreement that is believed to have preceded the attack. According to these sources, Binev had received €500,000 from Temiz to mediate a dispute regarding the division of properties between the businessman's wife and an architect. The two had failed to reach agreement on assets held as part of joint business ventures. The architect involved confirmed that the former MEP had indeed participated in those negotiations.
Temiz suspected Binev of acting secretly in favour of the architect, to help him obtain valuable properties. The politician and businessman had known each other for several years.
Phone conversation and fatal confrontation
On the morning of the crime, Binev is said to have had a tense phone conversation with Temiz's wife, blaming her for the failure of the negotiations and warning her that the properties under discussion could be lost entirely. The woman's reaction is said to have prompted her husband to travel to the former MEP's home.
Temiz is said to have arrived at the victim's address accompanied by his personal driver and a third associate. During the confrontation, he is alleged to have struck Binev in the face, after which he shot him in the head with a legally held Sig Sauer pistol. The official motive has not been confirmed by prosecutors.
CCTV footage
Surveillance cameras at a nearby property captured three men attempting to leave the yard of Binev's home after the crime. They encountered difficulties in leaving and were forced to climb over the fence. Temiz's interpreter needed assistance from the other two in order to get over the fence.
Subsequently, the three headed towards a silver Range Rover parked on the street, which they used to leave the area. Other images show the suspects' vehicle departing in the wake of a second SUV of the same model. Investigators are to establish whether the two vehicles acted in coordination or whether their presence was coincidental.
New information that has emerged suggests that other individuals could be involved in the matter, with the investigation ongoing.
Source: Gândul