Sofia: A Bulgarian television journalist was suffocated and beaten to death, prosecutors say, in a case which has sparked international condemnation.
Viktoria Marinova, 30, was identified only by her initials after she was found in a park in the town of Ruse, northern Bulgaria on Sunday, regional prosecutor Georgy Georgiev said.
Mr Georgiev claimed the death was caused by blows on the head and suffocation, adding: ‘Her mobile phone, car keys, glasses and part of her clothes were missing.’
The prosecutor added that authorities were probing all leads - both personal and linked to Marinova's job.
Interior Minister Mladen Marinov later confirmed to journalists that the victim had also been raped.
Prime Minister Boyko Borisov expressed hope that the investigation would succeed because of the ‘work that has been done.’
'Thanks to the large amount of DNA material collected it is just a matter of time before the perpetrator will be found,' he said.
Police sources said that the crime did not immediately appear linked to her work.
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's media freedom representative Harlem Desir condemned Marinova's killing on Twitter: 'Shocked by horrific murder of investigative journalist Victoria Marinova in #Bulgaria. Urgently call for a full and thorough investigation. Those responsible must be held to account.’
