A brutal fatal assault in Plovdiv has prompted a major police investigation, with authorities examining whether the attack was motivated by hatred based on sexual orientation or involved a victim being lured through a dating app. Several teenagers, including minors, have been detained as investigators continue to gather evidence.
The victim, identified by Krichim Mayor Atanas Kalchev as 31-year-old Georgi Kuzev, was found seriously injured near Youth Hill on Tuesday at around 5:20 p.m. Parents heading to collect their children from a nearby nursery discovered him lying helpless and alerted emergency services. He was rushed to the hospital with severe head trauma, multiple fractures and extensive internal injuries but later died despite doctors' efforts to save him.
Police have launched a pre-trial investigation under the supervision of the Plovdiv District Prosecutor's Office. Officers have seized surveillance footage from nearby restaurants, businesses and private security cameras in an effort to identify everyone involved.
One of the camera owners, Ivan Despov, told Nova TV that a group of around 10 to 15 young people, including several girls, had gathered in the area before the attack. He said he initially paid no attention because the park is usually busy, but was later called back after reports that a seriously injured man had been found.
