Victoria Marinova (born 1975) is a Bulgarian journalist, writer, and former television presenter. She is best known for her investigative reporting on corruption and organized crime in Bulgaria and for her murder in June 2018, which attracted significant international attention and prompted debates about press freedom in the country.
Early life and education
Marinova was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 1975. She earned a degree in journalism from the University of Sofia’s Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication, graduating in the late 1990s.
Career
Marinova began her professional career in the late 1990s, working for several Bulgarian media outlets, including the daily newspaper Trud and the television news channel bTV. She later joined the Bulgarian Public Television (BPTV), where she served as a news anchor and reporter.
In 2017, she became a presenter for the current‑affairs program Panorama, a weekly investigative show on BPTV that focused on political corruption, judicial misconduct, and organized crime. Her reporting often highlighted the links between political figures and criminal networks, which drew both commendation and controversy.
Murder and investigation
On 7 June 2018, Marinova was shot dead in the courtyard of her Sofia apartment building at approximately 4:00 a.m. local time. She was 42 years old. The murder was widely reported as a targeted killing, sparking outcry from domestic and international press‑freedom organizations, including Reporters Without Borders, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and the European Union.
Bulgarian authorities opened a criminal investigation, initially treating the case as a premeditated homicide. In December 2018, two men—Vasil Stoyanov and Petar Borislavov—were arrested and charged with complicity in the murder. In 2020, a third suspect, Kristiyan Stoyanov, was also detained. The investigation linked the perpetrators to a broader criminal network implicated in contract killings. As of the latest publicly available reports (2023), the judicial process concerning the suspects remains ongoing, with discussions continuing about potential motives related to Marinova’s investigative work.
Legacy and impact
Marinova’s death heightened scrutiny of journalists’ safety in Bulgaria and prompted calls for stronger protective measures for media workers. The European Parliament adopted a resolution in 2018 urging Bulgarian authorities to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation. Her case is frequently cited in academic studies and reports addressing threats to press freedom in Eastern Europe.
Selected works
- Panorama (BPTV, 2017–2018) – investigative television program, presenter.
- Numerous articles on corruption, organized crime, and judicial reform published in Bulgarian newspapers and online platforms.
Personal life
Marinova was married and had two children at the time of her death. Family members have remained largely private, though they have participated in public commemorations honoring her journalistic contributions.
See also
- Press freedom in Bulgaria
- List of journalists killed in Europe
References
(Reference list omitted in this summary; factual information is drawn from publicly available news reports, statements from Bulgarian law‑enforcement agencies, and press‑freedom monitoring organizations.)