Sofia Mayor Calls for International Probe into Bulgaria’s ‘Twin Peaks’ Killings

Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev has called for an international investigation into the deaths of six individuals found in Northwestern Bulgaria, hoping for an objective assessment of the case and public reassurance. The case, dubbed ‘the Bulgarian Twin Peaks’ by some, involves the deaths of five men and a 15-year-old boy discovered between February 1 and 8 in a lodge near the Petrohan Pass and a camper van near Okolchitsa Peak.

Details of the Petrohan Case

Forensic experts determined that all six victims died from gunshot wounds. Law enforcement officials are currently investigating the possibility of homicide followed by suicide, or suicide as the sole cause of death Balkan Insight.

Terziev’s Connection to the Victims

Terziev revealed he had met all six individuals, sometimes as often as nine or ten times, and had visited the Petrohan lodge with his children in the summer of 2025. His initial acquaintance with the group, led by Ivaylo Kalushev, dates back to the fall of 2022, beginning with a casual encounter with a friend who suggested a trip to the mountain lodge BTA.

During his visits, Terziev described the group as close-knit and well-organized, with Kalushev and Ivaylo Ivanov appearing to hold positions of leadership. He emphasized that he had never seen any of them armed.

Financial Support and Donation Details

Terziev publicly disclosed donating 80,000 BGN of his personal funds to the National Agency for the Control of Protected Areas, the organization associated with the victims, a year after first meeting the group. The donation was made at the request of the group and transferred to the personal bank account of Ivaylo Ivanov BTA.

He stated he has not been contacted by authorities for questioning regarding the donation. Terziev too noted that he has donated to numerous causes over the years, including health, education, and disaster relief, and acknowledged that some recipients have disappointed him.

Call for Transparency and International Involvement

Expressing his distress over the tragedy, Terziev criticized the lack of transparency from Bulgarian institutions, questioning why hourly updates weren’t provided and why a clear timeline of events hadn’t been established. He reiterated his hope for an international investigation to ensure an objective assessment of the situation and to reassure the public BTA.