From Novinite

Life Sentence in Brutal Varna Murder Confirmed

Georgi Tsvetanov, the son of prominent Varna right-wing politician, Tsanko Tsvetanov, will serve life with parole for the brutal murder of a 21-year-old female college student.
Bulgaria's Supreme Court of Cassations confirmed the life-behind-bars sentence for the savage murder of a female college student in the Black Sea City of Varna.

The ruling is final and cannot be appealed.

According to the supreme magistrates the punishment is just and fair. The defendant, Georgi Tsvetanov, will also have to pay the victim's family damages in the amount of BGN 100 000.

On July 19, the Court of Appeals in Bulgaria's Black Sea capital Varna confirmed the life sentence for Tsvetanov, who is convicted of murdering a 21-year-old woman.

The magistrates did, however, reject the girl's parents' and the prosecution's appeal to change the sentence of the Varna District Court to life without parole.

In February 2010, the Varna District Court acquitted the 22-year-old Tsvetanov on rape charges, but convicted him for "
brutal murder"
and, in addition to life behind bars, sentenced him to pay BGN 200 000 to the girl's parents.

The mutilated body of the third-year student from Varna's Business University, Radostina Eftimova, was discovered by her sister on March 7, 2009, with over 50 knife wounds. The murder sent shock waves across the country and triggered mass student protests.

Despite mounting evidence, Georgi Tsvetanov, refused to collaborate with the authorities, and continues to deny any involvement in the murder.

Georgi is the son of a prominent Varna politician, Tsanko Tsvetanov, Deputy Chair of the Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) and Chair of the UDF branch in the Bulgarian Black Sea capital Varna, who was forced to resign over the murder scandal.