A dramatic case of arson shocked the city of Veliko Tarnovo, in which 30 acres of forest area were destroyed within hours. Official representatives of the local authorities and law enforcement agencies revealed details about the crime, which is qualified as a potential act of terrorism.
The incident occurred on the night before Sunday, when a group of five young people were celebrating a birthday in the Buzludzha neighborhood. Around 1:15 AM, they went to buy cigarettes from a 24-hour store in the neighboring Cholakovo neighborhood, and on the way, one of them committed the crime.
Mayor Daniel Panov was the first to signal the intentional nature of the fire, publicly sharing video material showing an unknown person setting vegetation on fire with a lighter. The Director of the Regional Police Department, Senior Commissioner Dimitar Mashov, confirmed that the suspect was detained for the maximum permissible 24 hours.
The District Prosecutor's Office in Veliko Tarnovo conducted an initial analysis of the case and found that the crime has characteristics of arson under extremely risky circumstances. The perpetrator managed to set the forest on fire only on his third attempt, which further aggravates the act.
The Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Miroslav Rashkov, firmly stated that those detained will be prosecuted for terrorism. The crime is qualified under Article 108 A of the Criminal Code, which provides for a sentence of 5 to 15 years in prison.
After consultations between the Chief Prosecutor and the Sofia City Prosecutor, the case will be reviewed by the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office. An official charge is expected to be brought today, with the suspect and all investigative materials to be transported to Sofia before 5:40 PM.
This case raises serious questions about public safety and citizens' responsibility, as the panicked actions of one person can cause significant environmental and material damage.