Mladen Mihalev, one of the most prominent underworld figures in Bulgaria, basked in media limelight after finally turning up in the courtroom on Wednesday. Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (Sofia Photo Agency)
Mladen Mihalev, one of the most prominent underworld figures in Bulgaria, stirred up a sensation on Wednesday after finally turning up in the courtroom in order to testify as a witness in the murder trial of a close associate of his.
Unprecedented security measures marked the appearance of Mihalev, aka Madzho, who arrived in court three hours later than scheduled and after a series of failed attempts to get him there.
The witness was an associate of one of the founders of Bulgaria's obsolete ex-grouping SIC Milcho Bonev, who was killed in Sofia on July 30, 2004.
Court security, police and private guards were deployed across the court of justice and the parking lot in front.
A photo reporter was reported injured in a clash with the police.