Tension in the Siyana Case: Expert Karapetkov Blocked From Recusal

Sofia, Bulgaria – February 16, 2026 – A hearing in the case surrounding the death of 12-year-old Siyana was marked by tension today as the court refused to allow expert witness Prof. Stanimir Karapetkov to withdraw from the proceedings. The decision came after the child’s father, Nikolay Popov, accused Karapetkov of manipulation, prompting support from protestors present at the hearing.

Father Accuses Expert of Manipulation

Nikolay Popov, Siyana’s father, publicly accused Prof. Karapetkov of providing a manipulated expert opinion detrimental to Lyutvi Mestan, as reported by Fakti.bg. Popov alleges that Karapetkov intentionally set “traps” within his expertise to favor the prosecution. He further challenged Karapetkov to take a lie detector test, according to the same report.

Expert Responds, Seeks Apology

In response, Prof. Karapetkov, speaking on bTV, requested an apology from Nikolay Popov, stating he was presenting the truth about the expertise. bTV reported on this exchange.

Concerns Over Potential Conflicts of Interest

Popov also raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest involving Karapetkov and Yavor Notev, the lawyer representing the accused in the case. He suggested that a relationship between Karapetkov and Notev could compromise the objectivity of the proceedings, Fakti.bg detailed.

Father Rejects Apology, Alleges Wider Scheme

Nikolay Popov has firmly rejected the call for an apology, instead stating he will present Karapetkov with an “Oscar” for his performance, and promising to reveal further evidence of a broader scheme. This response was shared on Facebook, as reported by Dunavmost.com.

Court Blocks Recusal

Despite the accusations and rising tensions, the court refused to allow Prof. Karapetkov to recuse himself from the case, as initially reported by Dnes.bg. The hearing concluded with continued scrutiny surrounding the expert’s role and the integrity of the investigation.