Yambol, Bulgaria – A 30-year-old woman from Yambol remains hospitalized in critical condition after enduring four days of captivity and severe abuse at the hands of a man she had been dating for just two weeks.
The case, which has sparked public outrage, has raised concerns over the judicial system’s handling of domestic violence allegations.
The woman’s relatives reported that she was subjected to physical and psychological torture, including threats with a knife and being forced to beg for her life.
Despite the severity of the accusations, the alleged perpetrator, a 32-year-old man with no prior criminal record, was released from custody due to what authorities described as “insufficient evidence.”
Her father described her injuries as extensive, with multiple hematomas and severe head trauma. Her mother, visibly shaken, recalled the moment she saw her daughter after the ordeal.
“I couldn’t recognize her—her face was swollen, bruised beyond recognition. He kept her hungry and thirsty for three days,” she told reporters.
The victim’s brother revealed chilling details about the suspect’s threats. He provided a recorded conversation in which the man is heard saying, “If you make a mistake, I will kill you, I will cut you. I am not afraid of anyone.”
The family also received direct threats from the suspect, who initially deceived them by claiming the victim had gone missing when she was in fact held captive in his home.
According to the victim’s brother, she never voluntarily moved in with the man, contradicting claims made by the suspect.
“She managed to escape, but she had been forcibly detained. He made her tell our mother that she was living with him willingly, but that was never the case.”
Despite these accounts, the suspect remains free, a decision that has left the victim’s family fearing for their safety. “If he comes after me now, how am I supposed to react?” her brother questioned.
The suspect reportedly has no stable employment and has a history of theft, further raising concerns about the potential risk he poses to others.
The prosecutor’s office has stated that investigations are ongoing, with further interrogations pending.
However, the decision to release the suspect has drawn criticism, with many questioning whether enough is being done to protect the victim and her family from potential further harm.
This incident underscores the growing concern over domestic violence cases in Bulgaria and the perceived inadequacies in the legal response.
Advocacy groups have long called for stricter protective measures for victims of domestic abuse, arguing that lenient judicial decisions often embolden perpetrators and leave victims vulnerable.
As the investigation continues, the victim remains under medical supervision, struggling to recover from both physical and emotional trauma. Her family, still in shock, hopes for justice and measures to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
The case has ignited discussions about the need for urgent reforms in Bulgaria’s domestic violence laws, with activists urging authorities to prioritize victim protection over procedural delays. Whether the justice system will act decisively in this case remains to be seen.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members