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SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) – News on the rape and murder of a Bulgarian journalist (all times local):
3:40 p.m.
A group of journalists called for the opening of an investigation into the "brutal" murder of a Bulgarian TV journalist and presenter, but warned against speculation about the motive for his assassination.
The Association of European Journalists-Bulgaria said that there should be a thorough investigation into the death of Viktoria Marinova and that justice should be "rendered … to those responsible for this brutal act".
Marinova's body was found on Saturday. She had been beaten, raped and strangled.
The association said the investigation should consider possible motives, including the fact that his assassination was linked to his work as a journalist.
However, he added: "As long as there are no solid and proven facts, the speculations that the incident is related to freedom of expression … are unacceptable ".
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2:40 p.m.
A Bulgarian online survey website owner has requested the opening of an independent international investigation into the rape and murder of Bulgarian journalist Viktoria Marinova.
The owner of Bivol.bg, Assen Yordanov, said Monday that he could not directly associate Marinova's murder with his work, but said his September 30 issue was addressing "our very sensitive investigation into the situation." misuse of European funds Bulgarian national media has dared to report. "
He told the Associated Press that his site had received "operational information that attacks against our journalists working on this story are being discussed and prepared."
Yordanov said that "in truth, we demand an independent investigation … We want independent European investigators to be involved, because we believe that the Bulgarian authorities are part of the criminal network of this country".
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14h
The German government has strongly condemned the murder of a Bulgarian journalist, described as "brutal and horrendous murder".
A spokesman for the German Foreign Ministry said it was imperative "that there be a quick investigation and that this horrible event be brought to light as fully as possible".
The body of 30-year-old television journalist Viktoria Marinova, brutally beaten, raped and strangled, was found Saturday in Ruse, northern Bulgaria.
Sven Giegold, a German member of the Greens in the European Parliament, said that all of Europe should be worried about the murder.
Giegold said: "First Malta, then Slovakia, and now Bulgaria, it is unacceptable that journalists are again killed in Europe", referring to the murder of two other journalists in these countries.
He called on the European Parliament to quickly send a delegation to Bulgaria to help investigate this crime.
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24:30
Bulgarian police are investigating the rape and murder of a TV reporter and presenter whose body was thrown near the Danube.
The authorities on Saturday uncovered the body of 30-year-old Viktoria Marinova in Ruse, northern Bulgaria.
Police said she was brutally beaten, raped and strangled. His body was found in a park near the river.
Interior Minister Mladen Marinov said Monday that there was no evidence suggesting that the murder was related to Marinova's work. "It's rape and murder," he said.
The Bulgarian police, however, say they are working on all possible scenarios, examining possible links to their personal and professional lives.
Marinova was director of a small local television channel and presenter of two investigative programs.
