Iliyan Filipov, owner of Bulgarian top-flight football club Botev, was shot and killed on Wednesday outside his home in a peripheral neighborhood of Plovdiv, roughly 120 kilometers east of Sofia, according to confirmation from the Ministry of the Interior. The 53-year-old businessman suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head, with local reporting indicating the shot may have been fired from a nearby wooded area, though investigators have yet to officially confirm this.
Police Secure Plovdiv Perimeter Following Fatal Shooting
The early morning homicide prompted an immediate response from law enforcement officials in Bulgaria’s second-largest city. Vasil Kostadinov, director of the Plovdiv Police, addressed reporters in a press briefing to confirm the nature of the attack. “The crime has been committed with the use of an firearm,” Kostadinov stated, adding that investigators have not yet established a motive for the killing.
Following the attack, police forces locked down access points around Plovdiv in an effort to trap and prevent the escape of the perpetrator or perpetrators.
Botev Halts All Fixtures After Owner’s Death
In the wake of the tragedy, Botev announced the immediate suspension of all club activities across its youth categories. The senior team also canceled its upcoming league fixture against Septemvri Sofia. Founded in 1912, Botev holds the distinction of being the oldest professional football club in Bulgaria.
The historic club has captured the national league title twice, in 1929 and 1967, and boasts four Bulgarian Cup titles in its history, with its most recent cup triumph coming in 2024. The sudden loss of its owner has plunged the organization and its supporters into mourning during the middle of the domestic campaign.
Business Interests and Corporate Operations
Beyond his investment in Bulgarian football, Filipov served as the founder and general manager of PIMK, recognized as one of the country’s primary transport firms. Established in 2000, the company progressively expanded its commercial footprint across multiple sectors, including construction, while operating in various European markets.
Filipov also owned and operated a private railway terminal in Plovdiv that managed freight transport routes toward Turkey and Asia. Broadcaster Nova TV noted that one of his affiliated corporate entities faced past scrutiny regarding unproven allegations of cocaine trafficking, though those historical investigations ultimately yielded no conclusive legal findings.
Ongoing Criminal Investigation
Authorities have not publicly named any suspects or tied the homicide to Filipov’s business dealings, emphasizing that the investigation remains open and active.
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