Former Employee of Pawnshop Testifies in Trial of Man Accused of Murdering Colleague

38-year-old Vladimir Vasilev, accused of murdering Stanimir Ivanov – Stambeto, shot him twice. The first shot was played from a few meters away, and the second was controlled – in the back of the head.

This is the conclusion of the ballistic expertise, which was presented at the court session that took place this week, trafficnews.bg informs.

Vassilev is on trial for intentionally killing Stanimir Ivanov – Stambeto in an office for quick loans in Stara Zagora on March 24, 2021. The victim had worked for several years for the owner of the company, and the murder was committed with a legally owned gun.

The expertise categorically refutes Vassilev’s claims that he was attacked with a knife and that he shot in self-defense. The testimony of Vladimir’s brother, Milen Vassilev, also does not support the allegations of assault.

In court this week, a former employee of the pawnshop run by Stanimir Ivanov, who last saw him alive before entering Vasilevi’s office, was questioned.

His testimony confirms what was said by the manager Desislava Nikolova, who is categorical that the murder was not in a state of affect.

“Vlado never turns off the cameras in the office. He recorded everything that happened. He showed me tapes of him beating a man who owed him money. I’ve seen tapes of girls he brought to the office. He showed me videos of him driving around and shooting at dogs and cats.

This person enjoys looking at these things. How is it that on the very day of the murder, he orders the cameras to be turned off? Why? He says you pulled the gun from the holster! So he always kept his weapon on the table, in his jacket pocket or in the car. And that very day, the gun was in its holster with a cartridge in the barrel. What affect are we talking about?!” commented Nikolova.

The most suspicious circumstances, according to her, are that on the same day he had three times more security at work than usual, and after the murder he immediately ordered the locks on the premises to be changed.

“This act speaks of logical, calm and orderly thinking, and not of actions under the influence of emotions. The truth is that Vlado is not a spontaneous, primary person. He thinks things through. He lived like a mafia boss from the 90s – mansions, guns, cigars, women,” says his former employee.

In previous meetings, a triple psychiatric examination was presented, according to which Vassilev has no mental deviations and can be held responsible for his actions.

Three psychiatrists come to the conclusion that the killer’s personality is distinguished by elements of a domineering – leadership type of personality – individualism, a conquering position, a desire to subordinate others to his will, his own opinion can rise to the limits of “dogma”, a critical attitude to opinions different from his, etc.

There is a tendency to insufficient respect for society’s norms, rules, to antisocial actions and deeds. Vladimir Vassilev’s behavior during the incident was determined by his personal characteristics and no morbid motivation was established, the experts concluded. A fifth psychiatric examination is also currently expected.

Stanimir Ivanov, who has a thick criminal record, was killed with two bullets in the head. The tragedy took place in the city center, at 142 “Tsar Simeon the Great” street. Stambeto had a meeting with the brothers Vladimir and Milen Mladenovi Vasilevi, with whom he had shared business for several years.

He handled the day-to-day operations of the brothers’ five pawn shops. He entered minutes before 5 p.m., together with the manager of the houses – Desislava, with whom they lived on a family basis.

The Mladenovs sent Desislava to get some documents from one of the offices and the three remained alone in the building. A little later, 112 received a report of a dead man at the address in question. When the police went to the scene, Vladimir handed over his weapon and stated that he had shot Ivanov after a scandal. The two brothers had permits for short-barreled firearms.

Due to his heavy criminal record, Ivanov was not allowed to carry a firearm and none was found in his possession. According to the district prosecutor of Stara Zagora, Dimo ​​Atanasov, the murdered man had a knife with him, but he did not use it.

However, there are no recordings from the security cameras at the time of the murder. According to the testimony of the chief’s driver, he himself turned them off on Vladimir’s orders that same day, around 5:00 p.m.

Acquaintances of the perpetrator and the victim are categorical that in this case there is no question of self-defense. It was not the first time that Vladimir showed public aggression.

Follow the latest news with BLITZ and on Telegram. Join the channel here