Botev Plovdiv Chairman Iliyan Filipov Killed at Estate
The Bulgarian businessman and majority owner of Botev Plovdiv was killed shortly after 1 a.m. at his estate. Police blocked the exits from the city, and prosecutors are investigating.
Bulgarian businessman Iliyan Filipov (53), chairman and majority owner of the football club Botev Plovdiv, was killed at about 1 a.m. in the night between September 29 and 30, 2026, at his estate in Plovdiv’s Hristo Smirenski district. Police immediately blocked the exits from the city, and there is no official information on suspects so far.
What is known about the attack?
The emergency call was made at about 1 a.m., police and prosecutors confirmed. According to unofficial information, Filipov was hit by a single shot to the head, and the attacker is suspected of firing a sniper rifle from a nearby wooded area and then fleeing. Neither police nor prosecutors have confirmed that method.
The district prosecutor in Plovdiv, Vanya Hristeva, said prosecutors are investigating a case of intentional murder and that the victim died of a gunshot wound, the Bulgarian news agency BTA reported. Speaking to N1, which cites Reuters, Hristeva said:
“We are actively checking all possible lines of investigation.”
Nova.rs reports that all possible motives are being examined.
How did the police respond?
Plovdiv, about 145 kilometers southeast of Sofia, remains under heightened control. Patrols have been posted at the main entrances and exits to check suspicious vehicles, security measures have been stepped up in Plovdiv Province and neighboring regions, and border controls have been tightened.
On the interior minister’s orders, a task force was set up to coordinate the investigation, and Deputy Minister Emil Ganchev was sent to Plovdiv. The director of the National Police Directorate, Emil Parmakov, said police are carrying out an on-site investigation, collecting evidence and summoning witnesses. The director of the Interior Ministry’s Regional Directorate in Plovdiv, Vasil Kostadinov, said that, according to what is known so far, Filipov had not reported any threats.
According to Kurir, the news of the killing was first reported by Bulgaria’s Nova Television, citing a source in the country’s Interior Ministry. N1 reports that the ministry is expected to explain the circumstances of the killing once it has new information.
Who was Iliyan Filipov?
Filipov was the founder and head of PIMK, one of Bulgaria’s largest transport and logistics companies, which over time expanded into construction and rail transport across Europe. Kurir reports that PIMK was the main contractor for the works on the Hristo Botev stadium.
The club responded with a statement and put a black ribbon on its social media accounts. In it, Botev wrote:
“Iliyan Filipov will forever remain part of the history of Botev Plovdiv. His contribution to saving the club in the summer of 2025 and his dedication to the ‘yellow-black’ cause will stay in the memory of all members of our family.”
Club officials, players and the coaching staff extended condolences to his family, loved ones and friends. The club also stresses that, thanks to the stadium reconstruction, Filipov’s name remains tied to the most modern sports facility in Bulgaria.
Botev was founded 114 years ago and has twice been Bulgarian champion. According to Kurir, it won the Bulgarian Cup two seasons ago, the fourth time in its history.
