So far, 18 forensic examinations have been assigned to be performed by the National Institute of Forensic Science and the Clinic of Forensic Medicine at Alexandrovska Hospital. 15 witnesses were questioned, including minors and underage persons, relatives and friends of the victims, bTV reported.
This was stated at a briefing jointly with representatives of the Ministry of Interior, Sofia District Prosecutor Hristina Lulcheva, in connection with the investigation into the “Petrohan“ case.
The authorities announced that the cameras, which all witnesses claim were installed on the chalet itself, were destroyed as a result of the fire, as well as the devices where the recordings were stored.
In the area of the chalet, there was an outer perimeter of security cameras, which were in a more remote part of the chalet, which recorded on cards and were powered by solar panels.
Recordings were provided from one of them. They show how Nikolay Kalushev, Nikolay Zlatkov and Alexander Makulev, found dead yesterday near Okolchitsa Peak, say “Goodbye“ with Decho Iliev, Ivaylo Ivanov and Plamen Stanev, found dead in front of the hut.
After saying goodbye, the three - Kalushev, Zlatkov and Makulev, get into the camper and leave the area of “Petrohan“. At 11:14 on February 1, the camper passed through the village of Barziya, Montana region, as detected by a private camera.
At 11:37, it was detected at the exit of the town of Varshets, at 11:59, it was at the fork in the village of Stoyanovo. At 12:17, it was in the village of Beli Izvor, and at 12:22, the camper entered Vratsa. At 12:26 p.m. he was detected in the other part of Vratsa and at 12:41 p.m. he was detected in the village of Chelopek, which is in the direction of the place where the vehicle and the bodies inside were found.
A recording from 20:44 p.m. on February 1 shows flames and smoke starting to come out of the basement of the hut, and the three people starting to set the hut on fire.
The fire originated from the intentional ignition of combustible materials inside the hut. Additionally, pellets soaked in flammable liquids were scattered. Paper and books were also piled up.
No traces of short circuits were found in the hut building at the scene, and no additional heating devices or any malfunctions in them were found. No malfunctions were found in the gas installations in the hut, as well as the gas cylinders found on site.
Two completely charred bodies of dogs were found inside the hut.
The movement of the camper
The records from hundreds of RIA cameras have been reviewed by the authorities. Investigators detected it near the village of Barziya, then it was detected in the town of Varshets, the village of Stoyanovo near Dolno Orizovo, in the village of Beli Izvor, in the village of Chelopek, specified "Nova TV".
The Association
Regarding the activities of the association and the atmosphere in it, Papalezov said that dozens of witnesses were questioned. „Including minors and underage persons who were at the camps were questioned. A relative of one of the children said that in the last 1-2 months, the child said that there was a terrible despair in the association from reality, from the attitude of the state authorities towards them, their sponsors, as well as that they did not see the point in continuing the activity. The relative told us that even then this person shared that death was the way out”, said Papalezov.
Regarding the religious inclinations of the group, footage was also shown. Witnesses confirmed that the group and their leader performed Buddhist practices several times a day.
Sofia District Prosecutor Hristina Lulcheva announced that 18 forensic examinations have been ordered so far, which are in the field of ballistics, forensic medicine and DNA analysis.
For the bodies of “Petrohan” The expert examinations are ready, announced the head of the Department of Forensic Medicine and Deontology in Sofia, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alexander Alexandrov. Forensic autopsies have also been completed in Vratsa, he said.
“In all cases, gunshot wounds are found. The distance is very, very close and this is the cause of death of the three people found in the hut, said Alexandrov and specified: All injuries are convenient for one's own hand. These are gunshot wounds to the head at point-blank range. This is the leading cause of death for all victims,” said Dr. Alexandrov.
Religious practices
Several witnesses are questioned every day, including minors and underage persons who were in camps, as well as their relatives. A very close relative of one of the individuals said that in the last month or two, the minor had shared that there was terrible mental instability in the association and despair about reality, the goals they had set for themselves, and the attitude of state authorities and their sponsors towards them. They saw no point in continuing the association's activities, bTV wrote.
The relatives said that even then they commented that death was the way out and they commented on this repeatedly. However, no one thought that they could do such an act and that there would be more than one deceased person, the authorities said at the briefing.
A lot of material evidence was found regarding the group's religious interests. It is a branch of Tibetan Buddhism, in which many witnesses confirm that the group itself and their leader believed and performed spiritual practices for several hours a day. This was a mandatory condition for staying there.
Regarding spiritual practices and literature, this will be the subject of further investigation and no further information can be given.
Forensic medical examinations: “All injuries are in areas convenient for one's own hand“
Forensic medical examinations show that these are gunshot wounds to the head from point blank range or very close range. This is the leading cause of death for all victims.
“All injuries are in areas convenient for one's own hand“, said Assoc. Prof. Alexander Alexandrov, Head of the Clinic of Forensic Medicine.
Regarding the four shell casings found, it was established that they were fired from the two pistols and one rifle found next to the three bodies. DNA examination shows that only the DNA of the deceased persons is on the weapons. There is no foreign DNA.
The main versions of the authorities at the moment, based on the prepared expert reports - both for Petrokhan and for Okolchitsa Peak, are murder with subsequent suicide or suicide. Third parties other than those who stayed in the hut have not been identified at the moment.