Syrian man stabs three youths near NDK in Sofia, remanded in custody
Sofia District Court has ordered the remand in custody of 23-year-old Syrian Mahmoud Muhammad for a knife attack near the National Palace of Culture on 16 October. Three youths were injured in the incident.
Syrian attacks three with knife in front of NDK, court keeps him in custody
Sofia District Court has ordered 23-year-old Syrian Mahmoud Muhammad to remain in custody over a knife attack near the National Palace of Culture in Sofia on 16 October, in which three youths were injured. As reported by Novinite.com, the court found that Muhammad was the attacker.
The charges relate to causing bodily harm to the three victims. The incident occurred around 21:00 on Friday in the park in front of the NDK. According to case materials, Muhammad first headbutted one of the youths, causing minor injuries, and then stabbed two others, aged 18 and 19, with a knife. Two ambulances were dispatched to the scene: one victim was taken to Pirogov Hospital, the other to the Military Medical Academy.
The judge found no evidence that Muhammad acted in self-defence. According to witness testimony, he himself provoked the confrontation, believing that the youths were filming him. Two of the victims sustained cuts and stab wounds — one was injured while attempting to flee, the other while helping his friends to their feet.
Prosecution: risk of new crime and flight
Prosecutor Valentin Dobrev noted that the evidence gathered supports the charges and warned of a risk of committing another crime — the incident occurred during the probationary period of a previous sentence that had come into force. Dobrev also pointed to a risk of concealment, as the defendant does not live at the address he declared.
Following the hearing, the prosecutor clarified to the media that Muhammad was convicted in 2024 for harbouring illegal migrants. He disputed the defendant's claim that he had been beaten, stating that it was contradicted by other evidence. Dobrev added that the investigation was at an early stage and additional evidence would be submitted, including video footage showing Muhammad's escape route.
Defence: client acted in self-defence against a group of over 10 people
Defence lawyer Ekaterina Traikova presented a different version of events. According to her, Muhammad was surrounded in the park by more than 10 youths who attacked him. She stated that he became frightened when they approached and began filming him. According to the defence, one of the attackers struck him with a heavy object, another headbutted him, after which the group knocked him to the ground and kicked him.
Traikova noted that a forensic medical examination had found multiple injuries on Muhammad's body. The lawyer argued that he drew a knife because he feared for his life and asked the court to investigate all the circumstances of the case. She described the charges as improper and unlawful and requested a more lenient preventive measure, noting that there was no CCTV in the area.
Defendant: came to Bulgaria to work and support his family
In his final statement, Muhammad asked for leniency and release under a more lenient measure. He expressed regret over the incident and stated that he acted solely in self-defence and did not wish to cause problems. The defendant has lived in Bulgaria for more than three years and works in construction on various projects throughout the country — a circumstance noted by the defence as an explanation for why he was found and detained in Plovdiv. According to him, he came to Bulgaria to work and to support his family in Syria.
Court: remains in custody, decision is subject to appeal
The presiding judge found that a risk of concealment existed and ordered Muhammad to remain in custody. The ruling is not final and may be appealed or challenged.
Source: Novinite.com