Supreme Court Acquitted Alleged Drug Gang Leader Zlatomir Ivanov-the Beret

Bulgaria’s Supreme Court of Cassation on 26^th of March fully acquitted Zlatomir Ivanov nicknamed as Baretata (the Beret) on the charge that he was leading a crime group dealing with drug distribution. Ivaylo Borisov, aka the Torino, prosecuted as a close associate of Zlatomir Ivanov, has also been acquitted.

According to the Supreme Court of Cassation, the state prosecution has not convincingly provided evidence that Ivanov had been involved in a crime group.

A total of 10 people were prosecuted in the case for drug distribution in Sofia, Kazanlak and the Black Sea for the period 2011 to 2013. Seven of them have been handed different sentences.

In January 2013, Zlatomir Ivanov was gunned down on the steps into the Supreme Court of Appeal in broad daylight. He was on his way to appeal against a drugs trafficking conviction. He was shot four times in his legs, arm and stomach.

His nickname comes from the time (1991 and 1993) he served at the Counter-terrorism Squad of the Bulgarian Interior Ministry, known as The Berets.

Ivanov has official shares in more than 30 firms that provide security services and trade in oil, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. He also owns gambling venues.

In the period 1997 -2001, he was a suspect in investigations into women trafficking, prostitution rings and smuggling of stolen cars.

Zlatomir Ivanov was arrested on February 7, 2009. He was charged with organising and leading an organised crime group involved in dealing with drug distribution and murders.

His name was also mentioned in murder cases and assassination attempts. He has been arrested many times but was always released.