Appeals court in Plovdiv refuses to free boy, 14, charged with killing his mother

The Court of Appeal in Plovdiv has refused to free a 14-year-old boy charged with killing his mother. The judges would not change his detention in custody, the toughest preventive measure.

How it all started: Plovdiv boy, 14, charged with murdering his mother, stays in custody

His mother, 45, was found dead in a flat in Plovdiv on 9 October. The boy himself called 112. Two days later, a court kept him in custody.

The appeal judges said the case has indisputable evidence, including many statements from the boy's friends and classmates. An examination of the woman's body found 18 stab wounds in different places.

Judge Ivan Ranchev said hunting weapons and scattered cartridges were found in the home. He said that after the killing the boy tried to take his own life but failed to load the weapons.

A classmate testified that the boy had told him he was depressed and wanted to kill himself.

The boy sent a photo of his mother's body to several group chats with friends and classmates. The judge said a video in which the woman's screams can be heard was also sent to the chats.

The full expert assessment of the boy's mental state is not ready yet. It must establish whether he was sane, and it will be added to the case file.