Slavko Megerov Challenges Detention in Ilian Filipov Murder Case
The defense team for 51-year-old Slavko Megerov, accused of murdering businessman Ilian Filipov, has formally appealed the detention order issued by the Plovdiv District Court, dnes.bg reported. Megerov’s attorney, Dilyana Agova, stated that she requested access to the pretrial case materials after previously being denied review of the documents. Agova and her client are scheduled to examine the file during a one-hour window prior to the upcoming court hearing, according to legal representatives.
Authorities placed Megerov in permanent custody on October 4, 2026, following the fatal shooting of Filipov in Plovdiv on September 30, 2026. Investigators maintain that the primary motive centers on unresolved financial disputes stemming from illegal sports betting, with sums reaching between 15,000 and 20,000 levs, taralej.bg reported. Court proceedings revealed that the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence, and law enforcement has not yet recovered the weapon used in the shooting.
Defense Access Restrictions and Conflicting Evidence Arguments
Legal representation for the accused faced procedural hurdles when an initial request submitted to the Plovdiv Appellate Court for early access to the dossier was rejected, marica.bg reported. Attorney Agova explained that the court permitted review of the gathered evidence only for 75 minutes on Tuesday morning immediately preceding the appeal hearing, raising concerns that new prosecution evidence might be introduced without adequate preparation time. The defense maintains that Megerov has not cooperated with the ongoing investigation and has declined to offer explanations regarding the incident even to his own lawyer, dnes.bg noted.
Court records indicate that Megerov has three prior convictions for robbery, intentional homicide, and theft, taralej.bg reported. While investigators continue to probe the shared business ties between the victim and the suspect, former Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetkov noted in an interview with news.bg that the suspect may not have acted alone. Tsvetkov suggested that video surveillance and vehicle movement analysis could expose a second participant, though he dismissed the possibility of high-level political protection.
High-Level Connections and Ministry Verifications
The investigation has intersected with scrutiny surrounding former Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev. According to reporting by newspaper Filter
cited by eurocom.bg, Filipov allegedly used Demerdzhiev’s name to intimidate Megerov during prior disagreements, claiming high-level political backing. Demerdzhiev publicly acknowledged knowing Filipov personally but denied acting as his legal representative.
Questions Unresolved in the Plovdiv Court Appeal
- Will the Plovdiv Appellate Court grant the defense additional time to review evidence submitted outside the standard 75-minute window?
- Where is the missing firearm used in the September 30 shooting, and will forensic analysis link it directly to the suspect?
- What specific findings will emerge from the Ministry of Interior review regarding historical complaints filed by the victim?
- Will investigators uncover concrete evidence supporting the theory of a second accomplice in the underground betting dispute?
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