Interior Minister Heard in Parliament over Petrohan-Okolchitsa Case, PM Warns Cabinet Is Being Targetted in Intimidation Campaign

Interior Minister Emil Dechev takes MPs' questions about alleged interference in the Petrohan-Okolchitsa investigation, Sofia, February 25, 2026 (BTA Photo/Vladimir Shokov)

Sofia,

25.02.2026 17:40

(BTA)

Caretaker Interior Minister Emil Dechev was heard in Parliament on Wednesday amid allegations that he had exerted pressure on investigators working on a high-profile multiple deaths case, the Petrohan–Okolchitsa Case, which has drawn intense public and political scrutiny. Earlier the same day, caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov said that Dechev and the entire cabinet were being targeted by an intimidation campaign but stressed that the government remained resolute in its commitment to ensure fair elections and restore trust in state institutions.

Petrohan–Okolchitsa is a high-profile criminal case in which five men and a 15-year-old boy met a violent death between February 1 and 8. Their bodies were found in two remote mountain locations in Northwestern Bulgaria: a lodge near the Petrohan Pass and a camper van near Okolchitsa Peak. Forensic experts established that all six died of gunshot wounds. Law enforcement officials said the principal leads they followed, based on ballistics findings, the causes of death have been identified as suicide at the lodge and homicide and suicide in the camper.

Speaking at the start of a government meeting, Prime Minister Gurov described the allegations against the Interior Minister as part of a coordinated attempt to destabilize the caretaker cabinet. “An intimidation operation has been launched against the Interior Minister,” Gurov said, adding that pressure would not force the government to retreat from its mandate to restore order and public confidence.

Addressing lawmakers, Dechev categorically denied claims that he had interfered in the investigation or attempted to influence the work of investigative teams working on the Petrohan-Okolchitsa case. "I insisted on a full, comprehensive and objective investigation into both cases," he told Parliament, saying he had neither met with investigating police officers nor issued instructions regarding the direction of the probe. He confirmed having met in a restaurant with the head of the criminal police, Angel Papalezov but only to be briefed as far as possible about what was known in the case - not to interfere in the investigation.

Papalezov himself told the MPs that he had not experienced pressure from the Interior Minister and had received no instructions beyond sharing publicly approved information. “The only instruction I was given was to ensure that those working on the two cases were present at the Ministry of Interior the following day,” Papalezov said.

During the same parliamentary hearing, Interior Ministry Secretary General Miroslav Rashkov, whose removal has been proposed by Dechev, warned that political pressure could undermine the Petrohan-Okolchitsa investigation. "I wish to express my serious concerns regarding the future of the Petrohan investigation and the assurance of objectivity in uncovering the full truth," Rashkov told lawmakers. Also, he rejected in detail the stated reasons for his dismissal.

Shortly after Rashkov addressed the deputies, President Iliana Iotova signed a decree terminating his powers as Secretary General of the Ministry of the Interior.

Separately, the General Directorate Border Police said that the non-governmental organization National Protected Areas Control Agency, which used Petrohan Lodge - the scene of the first three deaths - had no formal powers or agreements with the Interior Ministry, despite having provided one-time technical assistance during an operation near the Petrohan lodge. Border Police stressed that "no reports of abuse of power" by the NGO had been registered.

/NF/