RAKOVSKI, BULGARIA — A 36-year-old man has been detained for hooliganism after discharging a firearm-like weapon during a street altercation in the village of Rakovski, Razgrad Province.
The incident occurred at approximately 10 a.m. on May 2 in front of a private residence, prompting police intervention and the launch of pre-trial proceedings.
According to initial reports from the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior (MoI) in Razgrad, the altercation escalated into a physical confrontation involving multiple individuals.
Amid the chaos, the detained man allegedly pulled out a pistol and fired a shot into the air, sparking alarm among residents and drawing attention from nearby witnesses.
Authorities were quick to respond, arriving at the scene shortly after the incident was reported. Upon detaining the suspect, police secured the weapon in question.
It was later identified as an “Ekol Aras Compact” pistol — a gas signal gun that closely resembles a conventional firearm but is typically used for self-defense or as a noise deterrent.
While the weapon is legally owned and not classified as a lethal firearm under Bulgarian law, its public use remains strictly regulated.
“The pistol discharged was not a firearm in the legal sense,” a police spokesperson stated. “Nonetheless, using such a weapon in a public setting, particularly during a conflict, constitutes a serious public order offence.”
Prosecutors have launched pre-trial proceedings against the man under Article 325, Paragraph 1 of the Bulgarian Criminal Code, which pertains to acts of hooliganism that disturb public order or express disrespect for societal norms.
If convicted, the suspect could face fines, corrective labor, or imprisonment depending on the severity and outcome of the case.
No injuries were reported during the brawl, and the cause of the conflict remains under investigation. Witnesses are being interviewed as part of the ongoing legal process.
Local residents expressed concern following the incident, noting that such public disturbances are rare in the quiet village. “This is usually a peaceful place,” one neighbor said. “It was shocking to hear gunfire, even if it turned out to be a gas pistol.”
The use of gas pistols and signal weapons, while permitted in Bulgaria under certain licensing conditions, carries strict regulations regarding their transportation and use.
Firing them in public without just cause is considered a serious offense, particularly if it results in fear or disruption.
As the investigation continues, authorities have urged calm and reassured residents that public safety remains a top priority. The man remains in custody while prosecutors prepare formal charges based on the findings of the pre-trial proceedings.
This incident marks the latest in a series of public order violations involving non-lethal weapons in the country, raising broader questions about the regulation and control of such devices.
The Razgrad District Prosecutor’s Office is expected to issue further information in the coming days.