Andrey Atanasov, 83, a longtime lecturer at Sofia University’s Faculty of Biology, was beaten to death in an elevator at a Sofia metro station in October.
Follow us on GoogleA 32-year-old resident of Bat Yam was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the murder of an Israeli citizen in Bulgaria on October 14, 2026.
The victim, 83-year-old Andrey Atanasov, a longtime former lecturer at Sofia University's Faculty of Biology, was beaten to death in an elevator at the Joliot-Curie metro station in the Bulgarian capital.
According to local media reports, Atanasov was found unconscious on October 15, suffering from multiple injuries. He was rushed to St. Anna Hospital in Sofia, where he died of his injuries.
Following his death, Bulgarian authorities launched a murder investigation under the supervision of the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office.
Atanasov had taught for many years at Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski.
As part of the investigation, authorities collected surveillance camera footage from the area surrounding the metro station and examined the circumstances of the attack.
Investigators explored the possibility that the killing was motivated by a personal dispute, with suspicions centering on a financial disagreement. However, the motive was not officially confirmed in initial reports.
Bulgarian police initially identified suspect as Greek national
Bulgarian police later announced that they were searching for a foreign national suspected of involvement in the killing who had fled the country and was declared wanted.
The suspect was initially identified as a Greek citizen.
According to a report citing a Bulgarian newspaper, The Telegraph and sources within the country's Interior Ministry, the suspect and Atanasov knew each other for years, but their relationship deteriorated following a dispute.
The report also claimed that the suspect had waited for the former lecturer for two days before carrying out the attack.
Israeli police arrest suspect ahead of extradition proceedings
While the investigation continued in Bulgaria, detectives from the Ayalon Crime Fighting Unit of the Israel Police's Tel Aviv District worked to locate and arrest the suspect in Israel.
The operation was conducted in cooperation with the Operational Coordination Department of the Israel Police Intelligence Division, the International Affairs Department of the State Attorney's Office, and Bulgarian police.
As part of the investigation, Israeli authorities obtained a provisional arrest warrant for the purpose of extradition.
The suspect was arrested on Saturday and is expected to appear before an Israeli court as part of proceedings to extradite him to Bulgarian law enforcement authorities.
Follow us on GoogleSource: The Jerusalem Post · HODAYA RAN, YOAV ETIEL
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