Protest in front of the Courthouse because of the brutal murder of a woman in conditions of domestic violence and the lack of justice took place in the capital, BNT reported.
On June 20, Orlin Gigov, who was repeatedly arrested for beating women, killed his girlfriend Silvia. Despite the extreme publicity of these cases of domestic violence against at least five women, he has not been effectively convicted in any of the cases. The protesters are demanding adequate programs to protect victims of domestic violence, an analysis of the reasons that led to the lack of timely response from the institutions, as well as educational programs for the public. The demonstration is organized by the collectives of LevFem and the Feminist Library.
The former driver at the Ministry of Internal Affairs Hospital, Orlin Gigov, who is already in custody on charges of murdering his girlfriend in the context of domestic violence, has been beating women for years - practically without any fear of punishment. It became clear that last year the same woman, whose life was already taken, was beaten and thrown in a helpless state in front of her apartment in "Haji Dimitar".
One of Orlin Gigov's victims is a woman with a mental illness. The two met shortly before Easter 2022, says her daughter, who hides her face out of fear, as she does not believe that the man will remain in custody for long.
"Her face was blue. She was all stabbed with a knife. After I was lying in the psychiatric hospital, she told me that he had slapped her for five minutes," the victim shared.
The woman lives with Gigov for about a month. For her relatives, the case escalated when the police called that she had been spotted wandering disorientated in the village of Kovachevtsi. Her daughter says that he sent her to buy cigarettes.
"He couldn't have stayed so long, he would have harassed and beaten her", added the victim.
Gigov refused to return the woman's identity card, which he kept in his apartment.
"It took him about 10 days to return it to me," the victim said.
The family decided not to file a complaint, as they did not want the mentally ill woman to have contact with the abuser. However, they decide to publicize it through the media.
"The police could search for me. It's not that hard. Or at least testimony. Still, he threatened me with fake MIA cards. "I don't think anyone cares," said the victim.
They also contacted other victims who tried to seek their rights, but to no avail.
"In this case, someone is obviously guarding him, and nothing can be done in this situation. It was known that it would lead to murder, and here it is," added the victim.
It turns out that Orlin's mother tried to seek help from the "Animus" foundation when the Ukrainian Sylvia was found on the street naked and barefoot with traces of beatings.
"We have advised her to treat it, but she has not been able to do so. This person systematically has a problem with drugs, gambling, numerous aggressions," said Nadezhda Stoycheva – Clinical psychologist and psychotherapist.
According to sources of "Around the world and in our country" the murdered Ukrainian refused to testify against Gigov. There are also two reports of death threats from his mother against him. One of the victims managed to get to court and even convict him in the first instance. In the second instance, however, only the monetary sanction remains. Practice shows that cases where victims lose cases are not an exception.
"Especially if these are richer people who have more opportunities, they win the cases and the victims then become victims again," said Nadezhda Stoycheva.
According to experts, the new law on protection from domestic violence is still not fully implemented.
"Intimate relationship started after the case of "Deborah", but it is difficult to go. Not very well received by the judges. All institutions related to domestic violence are dragging their feet and all decisions are dragging their feet," said Nadezhda Stoycheva.
Last year only in the "Animus" more than 5,500 reports related to domestic violence were received.