The Bulgarian Basketball Federation has confirmed that its head, controversial businessman Mihail Mihov, (aka Misho Birata), has been found dead in a hotel room.

In a press statement, the Federation confirms that Mihov died of a heart attack; the Bulgarian press, however, has been quick to describe Mihov's death as "mysterious."

Mihov's body was found in the RIU Pravets Resort Hotel, in the town of Pravets, northeast of Sofia, which, according to unofficial information is owned by tycoon Valentin Zlatev, the CEO of Lukoil Bulgaria.

47-year-old Mihail Mikov is the owner of the Ledenika Brewery stationed in the northwestern town of Mezdra (hence his nickname "Misho Birata" - i.e. "Misho the Beer").

In mid January 2010, he became notoriously known through his involvement in the "Tapegate" scandal that shook Bulgaria's Borisov Cabinet after a compromising transcript of a tapped telephone conversation between him and Prime Minister Boyko Borisov was leaked to the public by the Galeria weekly.

“March 30, 2011, will be remembered as the most tragic day for the Bulgarian Basketball Federation,” the organization said in its statement praising Mihov’s contribution to the development of basketball in Bulgaria.

“From his election for President of the BFB in 2008 till his last breath he committed his entire energy, experience, and innovation for the renaissance of Bulgarian basketball,” states the Federation, also mentioning that all matches in the Bulgarian basketball championship in this week’s round will start with a minute of silence to honor Mihov.

Detailed information about Mihail Mihov READ HERE

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