The man charged over the murder of Slavi Binev was a close acquaintance, not a hired killer, interior minister Ivan Demerdzhiev told a media briefing. He said the case cannot be compared with other killings.
Binev was killed at his home.
How it all started: Slavi Binev murder at Pavlovo: main theory is unsettled money
The minister said the man charged had been in contact with Binev many times. Two other people were also close to Binev, and his family let all three into the house as invited guests.
"After the charge, it is clear we have caught the right man," Demerdzhiev said. He added that there is firm evidence against the detained man.
The minister said the killing does not fit the familiar pattern of a hitman who stalks a victim and shoots when the moment is right. He said it was neither a contract job by people from the criminal world nor a decision taken the way such things are usually done here. Demerdzhiev said that "in Binev's killing, we cannot prevent a situation in which someone invites people into their home who later decide to do such things".
He offered his condolences and said some people are trying to speculate about the case. He said it is ugly to stress Binev's political career and to stain his memory.
Demerdzhiev also commented on remarks made earlier the same day by prime minister Rumen Radev, who said such killings are most likely to continue. The minister said he did not know what the prime minister meant. He said some people are clearly losing control over money that has drained from the state budget and over captured institutions, and this is causing tension.
The interior ministry is watching these developments and doing all it can to fight crime, Demerdzhiev said. Investigators are still working to establish the circumstances that led to the killing.