Residents of the small Bulgarian town of Buhovo are expressing anger and fear after authorities released a man with severe mental health issues who fatally attacked a woman earlier this year.
The man, identified by locals as Vesko, suffers from paranoid schizophrenia. Two months ago, he set fire to an elderly woman, who later died from her injuries. Despite his violent actions, prosecutors dismissed the case on the grounds of insanity, allowing him to remain free.
For residents, his release has created a climate of terror. Neighbors describe sleepless nights and constant anxiety. “At night he walks in the corridor, talking to himself and breaking things. The cemetery park opposite our block—he destroys monuments of our deceased loved ones. I worry for my life, who doesn’t?” one local resident said.
The victim’s son, Marin Ivanov, recounted the horrifying attack. “My mother went out to water flowers and Vesko asked for a light. He lit the match, and despite her attempts to put out the fire, she suffered 35% burns and died two weeks later in the hospital. Yet he was released,” Ivanov said, visibly shaken.
Since his release, Vesko has continued to harass and threaten the community. Ivanov described another incident: “A few days ago, he followed a girl for almost a kilometer, flicking a lighter at her.”
According to Buhovo Mayor Todor Dimitrov, the man has a long history of violent behavior. Records from the Ministry of Interior show he has been detained seven times since 2020 and has 19 reports against him, including theft, assault, and murder. He has also undergone compulsory treatment multiple times.
Despite this troubling history, Dimitrov said the Sofia District Prosecutor’s Office refuses to request mandatory treatment under Bulgaria’s Health Act and Criminal Code. “We are continuing with our actions and collecting signatures,” the mayor stated, adding that complaints have been repeatedly submitted to police and municipal authorities.
Residents argue that the refusal of authorities to intervene leaves them at risk of further tragedy. Community members are now demanding stronger action to ensure that Vesko receives compulsory treatment and that public safety is prioritized.
As tensions rise, Buhovo has become a symbol of the wider debate in Bulgaria about balancing mental health rights with community protection. For many residents, however, the issue is urgent and deeply personal: they simply want to feel safe in their homes.