site.btaFour Remanded in Custody for Assault on Ruse Police Chief

The Ruse District Court Saturday ruled to leave in custody four individuals detained in connection with the assault on Ruse Police Chief Nikolay Kozhuharov and his neighbor Georgi Dimitrov earlier this week. The court’s decision applies to Zhulien Kyazamov (18), Viktor Ivanov (19), Stanislav A. (15), and Kiril Gochev (18) and is appealable before the Veliko Tarnovo Appellate Court.

The defendants were arrested on Thursday following the assault. In a Facebook post, Ruse Mayor Pencho Milkov said Kozhuharov had been rushed to hospital in critical condition on Wednesday night, following a confrontation with a group of men allegedly drifting their cars recklessly.

During the hearing, Prosecutor Ivo Georgiev said that Kozhuharov and Dimitrov tried to stop a speeding vehicle occupied by the defendants. In response, the young men reacted aggressively, hurling insults. Dimitrov had been struck by the vehicle’s door, and both he and Kozhuharov were attacked even though the police chief had identified himself, Georgiev added.

Kyazamov was charged with causing grievous bodily harm and hooliganism, the prosecutor said. 

Following the hearing, Kyazamov’s father claimed that Kozhuharov and Dimitrov had been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident and were using offensive language toward the four young men. 

Ivanov faces charges of hooliganism, including improper conduct, gross violation of public order, and offensive language.

A closed-door hearing was held for 15-year-old Stanislav A., accused of causing grievous bodily harm and hooliganism.

As for Kiril Gochev, legal aid was appointed due to his attorney’s absence. According to the indictment, Gochev acted in a public setting with "extreme audacity and cynicism," displaying "a lack of morals and ethical restraint." He is charged with physically attacking Georgi Dimitrov during the incident.

Judge Milena Peycheva ruled that all four individuals pose a flight risk and should remain in custody.