Sofia:Tel Aviv An Israeli man from Bat Yam has been arrested on suspicion of being involved in the murder of an Israeli university professor in Bulgaria. The arrest pertains to the violent attack and subsequent death of Professor Andrei Atanasov, 83, who was assaulted inside an elevator at a metro station in Sofia, the Bulgarian capital.
According to Maan News Agency, the Israeli police announced the arrest of the 32-year-old suspect under a temporary international arrest warrant. The arrest is in preparation for his extradition to Bulgaria, following investigations that linked him to the crime.
The murder of Professor Atanasov occurred on October 15th. Reports indicate that he was a respected lecturer at the Faculty of Biology at Sofia University. He was severely beaten in an elevator at the "Golio Kori" metro station and later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.
Bulgarian authorities have obtained CCTV footage from the scene, which is expected to play a crucial role in the investigation. The Israeli police, in collaboration with the Bulgarian police, have been conducting intensive operations to gather evidence against the suspect.
The suspect is slated to appear in court soon, where the extradition proceedings to Bulgarian authorities will be considered.