The Burgas District Court has returned Nikolay Burgazliev, the 18-year-old who on August 14 caused a serious incident on Alley “Melia” in the resort of “Sunny Beach,” to jail after he hit five people, including three children. The court's decision overturns the lighter measure of "house arrest" initially imposed by the Nessebar Regional Court and sets the strictest measure: "remand in custody."
Serious Reclassification of Charges
The court ruling is final and comes in response to the strong protest from the District Prosecutor's Office in Burgas. The state prosecution insisted on the most severe measure, calling the case particularly serious. This move by the prosecution was preceded by a statement from prosecutor Hristo Kolev, who, even before the session at the Palace of Justice in Burgas, emphasized that the charges against Burgazliev would surely be reclassified to a more serious level. Specifically, it is expected to change from causing moderate bodily harm to causing grievous bodily harm, which reflects the extremely serious condition of the victims.
The condition of those injured by the electric vehicle is currently critical, which supports the prosecution's position. Prosecutor Kolev added that once the documents from the forensic doctor arrive, a definitive assessment can be made, but the prognosis is for at least grievous bodily harm.
Overconfidence Against Tragedy
During the court session, the state prosecution described Nikola Burgazliev, who is the son of a law enforcement officer, as extremely overconfident and irresponsible. Prosecutors pointed out that the accused had adamantly claimed to possess the necessary skills to operate the electric ATV, despite the subsequent tragic outcome of his actions.
Despite this assessment, Burgazliev himself expressed his regret for what happened in the courtroom. He stated that he was more concerned about the condition of the victims than his own fate.
"I am most sorry for what happened," he said. "I am more worried about them than about myself. If something happens, I will never be able to forgive myself. I never imagined that something like this could happen. I will cooperate with law enforcement in every way. I want to cooperate, and if it turns out that I am to blame, I will bear the consequences."
According to unofficial information circulating in judicial circles, one of the injured children, Hristina, is in a state of clinical death, and the electric ATV ran over her head.
Controversial Claims About the Incident
Amidst these dramatic events, Burgazliev provided explanations for the security camera footage widely circulated in the media. These clips show him driving the ATV in the oncoming lane, maneuvering just before the fatal collision. In his defense, he claims that the rental stand where he leased the vehicle is located in that very lane and that he did not have time to react, which led to the incident.
This claim is in contrast to the serious charges filed against him and raises questions about responsibility when operating such vehicles in highly busy resort areas. The District Court's decision to remand him in custody underscores the seriousness of the charge and the judiciary's intention to approach the case with the full force of the law.