Georgi Harizanov, former Chair of the Board of Directors of Bulgaria's state-owned Irrigation Systems, was brutally beaten in front of his home in Sofia late in Thursday.

The incident happened at around 10 pm in the Krasna Polyana residential district, according to reports of the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR).

On his way home, Harizanov was assaulted by two unknown attackers who carried iron pipes. Harizanov's wife, who was with him at the time of the attack, was also reported to have also suffered slight injuries.

Harizanov was taken to the Military Medical Academy in Sofia where he is receiving treatment, his condition still being life-threatening.

He has a broken arm and broken ribs and numerous injuries to the face and head.

Sofia Police Directorate head Ivaylo Spiridonov confirmed the case but did not provide any details, adding that the prosecuting authority had opened pre-trial proceedings.

One month ago, the Sofia Regional Court released Harizanov from custody without placing him under a remand measure.

He was released after spending over three months in custody.

Harizanov was arrested on suspicion of aiding two unprofitable deals for scrap metal, according to reports of Sega daily. The trial against him was launched in October 2013.

Several judge panels from both courts ruled that he had to remain in custody due to two classified files of the State Agency for National Security (DANS) and testimony of an anonymous witness.

Harizanov made headlines when it was revealed that he had been appointed head of the Irrigation Systems company despite the lack of a university degree required by law.

He was defended by Miroslav Naydenov, then-Agricultural Minister, who compared him to Bill Gates, saying that his lack of a university diploma had not prevented him from creating Microsoft.

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