BHC Campaign: Impartial investigation for Petko Koshnicharski

Petko Koshnicharski - killed as a result of excessive use of firearms by the police

Publications in the press laid no blame on the police, claiming that they had acted in self-defense

On 09.10.2003 Petko Koshnicharski, 54 and suffering from a mental illness, was shot and killed by Captain Zapryan Manchev, a police officer from the 3rd district police station in Plovdiv. Petko was shot in his house on 21 Veliko Turnovo Street in the nearby town of Saedinenie.

Petko Koshnicharski had had a mental illness since 1983 and had been registered at the Plovdiv mental dispensary since 1988. He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. In the beginning of October 2003 Petko told his wife that he was no longer ill and refused to continue taking his medications. After beating his wife on October 7, in the morning of October 9 he started taking household possessions out on the street and burning them. He refused to be examined by the physician, called by his family, Dr. Kessov, and locked himself in the kitchen. Petko's son and daughter got a prosecutor's order to carry out a preliminary check for his hospitalization. In the meanwhile, Petko drove his wife out of the house. At this point his family called the police in Saedinenie.

Four police officers under the command of captain Manchev arrived at Petko's house. After entering the house, Petko took an axe and started chasing them. Capt. Manchev reportedly tried to calm him down, but the man continued to chase them. The police officers went to the door top leave. At this point, Petko reportedly approached Capt. Manchev still holding the axe. Capt. Manchev called out "Freeze! Put the axe down", Petko stopped for a second and went toward him again. According to the information from the Military Prosecution, in the yard capt. Manchev took his gun out and fired a warning shot. He then fired in Petko's feet and walked out the door. Petko however continued to run after him and reportedly caught him by the jacket. At this point the captain fired five shots in his body.

Immediately after the killing, Gen. Vassil Vassilev - the then director of the National Police - awarded Capt. Zapryan Manchev for his adequate reaction.

The investigative case concluded on 8 December 2003 and was given to a prosecutor with the conclusion that no criminal act had been committed.

On 29 December 2003 investigative case 211/ІV.2003 on the death of Petko Koshnicharski was terminated by the prosecutor with the motive that the act did not constitute a criminal offense.

The case of Petko Koshnicharski illustrates the multiplicity of problems related to human rights and to the activity of the police:

The police are unable to react in an adequate manner to cases involving mentally ill individuals;
Prejudice and dehumanization of the mentally ill;
The police pattern of use of lethal firearms even in cases when it is possible and desirable to act through other means;
Impunity even in cases when the use of lethal firearms is obviously unfounded.

How you can help

Write appeals to the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Bulgaria and to the Minister of the Interior requiring for an independent and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding Petko Koshnicharski's death.

You can use the sample letter below to write your appeal:

Dear Prosecutor General/Minister,

I am concerned about the death of Petko Koshnicharski, killed as a result of excessive use of firearms by a police officer. 
 
Petko Koshnicharski was shot and killed on October 9, 2003 by Capt. Zapryan Manchev from the 3rd district police station in Plovdiv. Petko Koshnicharski, aged 54, suffered from a mental illness. He lived with his wife and their two grown-up children in Saedinenie. After his condition deteriorated, a team of two medical professionals and four police officers from the 3rd district police station were called at his home. In the dramatic events that followed, Petko started attacking the police officers, who had entered his house, with an axe. Captain Manchev took out his gun, fired a warning shot, then fired in Petko's feet and went out into the yard, where the man continued after him. As a result, Petko Koshnicharski, a mentally ill man in an acute phase of his disease, was shot with five bullets before the eyes of his family. Six men - four police officers and two medical professionals - are unable to help him. 

On 08.12.2003 the investigative case was closed and sent to the prosecutor with an opinion that no crime had been committed. Immediately after the killing, General Vassil Vassilev - the then Director of the National Police - awarded Capt. Manchev for his adequate reaction. 

I urge you to ensure that a comprehensive, independent and impartial investigation of the circumstances around Petko Koshnicharski's death is carried out and that the perpetrators of this act are brought to justice. 

Yours respectfully,

Send the appeals by post, fax or email to the following addresses:

Prosecutor General Nikola Filchev
2, Vitosha Blvd.
1000 Sofia
BULGARIA
Fax: +3592 886 3453
E-mail: office_gp@prb.bg*
Salutation: Dear Prosecutor General

Mr. Georgi Petkanov
Minister of the Interior
29, September 6th Street
1000 Sofia
Bulgaria
Fax: +3592 987 7967
E-mail: minister@mvr.bg*
Salutation: Dear Minister

* If you're sending your letters by email, please send a cc to the BHC at bhc@bghelsinki.org.

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