Three bodies found near Petrohani linked to a possible pedophile network, involving an environmental group’s activities.
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Three middle-aged men were found murdered with gunshot wounds near Petrohani, Bulgaria, and investigators believe a pedophile network may be involved, as the Bulgarian prosecutor described the case as unprecedented. Following public reports on February 8th, police discovered three more victims in a parked camper near Vratsá, finding similar weapons and bullet marks at the scene. Authorities suggest the Petrohani and Vratsá murders are connected; two of the deceased have been identified as Nyikolaj Zlatkov and Ivajlo Kalushev. Kalushev was the founder of an environmental organization that contracted with the Bulgarian Ministry of Environment between 2022 and 2025 to protect forested areas, where armed rangers would stop and check tourists. Despite past complaints against this group, the prosecution had not investigated their activities until now. The February 2nd murder occurred at a hostel owned by Kalushev, who was known as an extreme sports enthusiast and caver, with support from high-ranking politicians like Sofia’s mayor. While some officials defended his group for protecting ancient trees and fighting illegal migrants, the prosecutor stated that complaints regarding the paramilitary nature of the civilian rangers had been ignored for years, including allegations of abuse against children during organized activities at Petrohani, which were allegedly hindered by the parents of the victims. A former environmental minister claimed no complaints reached his department, but media reports suggest the contract with the group remained valid until June of the previous year despite tourist grievances.
