128 years since the murder of Stefan Stambolov

Stefan Stambolov (1854 – 1895) was a Bulgarian revolutionary, poet and journalist, builder of New Bulgaria. A controversial figure, criticized for the dictatorial methods with which he ruled, he is one of the most significant politicians in our New History. During his reign (1887-1894), a policy of patronage of the native industry and crafts was carried out and the interests of the Bulgarians, who remained within the boundaries of the Ottoman Empire, were successfully protected. Forced to act in a complex domestic and foreign political situation, he used the means of political terror and introduced into the political morals of the country a ferocity that tragically affected his own destiny. Having fallen from power, Stambolov became the victim of one of the most brutal political murders in our history.

On July 3 (old style) at 19:50 p.m., Stefan Stambolov was hacked in the center of Sofia, shortly after leaving the Union Club, by Mikhail Stavrev (Halyu), Bone Georgiev and Atanas Tsvetkov, called Talyu. The killers were facilitated by coachman Mircho Acev. Stambolov died three days later, on the morning of July 6, 1895, at the age of 41. The funeral will take place on July 8, Saturday, in the church of "St. King". The indifference with which the prince and the government let Stefan Stambolov's enemies deal with him is shocking. As well as the fact that a politician lives for months knowing who is preparing to kill him and who will kill him. Stambolov died abandoned and helpless in the country, for whose independence and affirmation he uncompromisingly worked. A few days after his death, the Prague newspaper "Bohemia" wrote: "What is Stambolov worth to today's rulers, to the government, to the prince? An obstacle, an inconvenient witness from that time when the Bulgarian people were looking for their consolidation and their independence. That time has passed, in St. Petersburg a Bulgarian delegation begs for favor and mercy from Russia... This is the end of the man who, no matter how wrong he may have been, has outstanding merits to his fatherland and has acquired the right to gratitude from his people. The world is witnessing a tragedy of ingratitude."

Text: Valentina Zadgorska, PhD

The conclusion of the trial for the murder of Stefan Stambolov has caused no less anger than the murder itself. His wife Polixeni refuses to testify in court because she believes that Stambolov's intellectual killers should be tried. She considers those brought before the court to be "innocent and unfortunate tools in the hands of the Bulgarian government". The court recognizes Bone Georgiev from Tulcha as innocent. Naum Tyufekchiev and Mircho Acev were sentenced to 3 years in prison. They were found guilty of the fact that Naum Tyufekchiev, by supplying weapons, and Mircho, by means of their carriage, helped commit the murder. They do not serve these three years and after a year and a half they are released prematurely. In 1902, the famous "Halyu" was captured and sentenced. Later, death overtook Stambolov's killers as well. What did Stefan Stambolov bequeath to us? To protect Bulgaria's independence, to consider each issue in its own time, to watch over Bulgarian unity and to believe in the strength of the Bulgarian people. 128 years later, the testaments of the great Bulgarian statesman remain relevant.