site.btaAuthorities Investigate Death in Palestinian Embassy in Sofia

Authorities Investigate Death in Palestinian Embassy in Sofia

Sofia, February 25 (BTA) - The Bulgarian authorities are investigating the death of a man in the Palestinian Embassy in Sofia, the Prosecution Office said Friday. They said that a call was received from the Embassy about a violent death on the territory of the embassy.

Embassy sources identified the man as Omar Zayed, a Palestinian whom Israel wants extradited to serve out a life sentence for killing an Israeli soldier. Zayed was reportedly sentenced in 1986 and sent to prison. He escalped in 1990 after being moved to a prison hospital.

The Bulgarian authorities ordered his arrest in December 2015.

The call from the Palestinian Embassy was received on the 112 emergency service at 7:30 on Friday morning. He was reported in helpless condition but still alive. He died by the time the medics reached the Embassy.

A team of prosecutors and investigators was immediately sent to the Embassy and the Palestinian Ambassador allowed an inspection and all other necessary investigative activities.

Interior Ministry Chief Secretary Georgi Kostov said there are several hypotheses, including fall from a height.

Prosecutor General Sotir Tsatsarov said that there were no gunshot wounds on the victim's body. He also said that the man apparently resided in the embassy building.

In a comment for the press in the corridors of Parliament, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said that Zayed's extradition case was brought up both by Israel and by Palestine during his visit there February 24-25. "It was brought up when we met with the Palestinian President and Prime Minister, and then during the meeting with the Prime Minister of Israel," he said. Both sides were told that there is rule of law in Bulgaria and any action is taken in keeping with the law.

Borissov added that the questioin of Zayed's extradition had reached a Bulgarian court which was expected to make a decision.