A 53-year-old Iranian identified as Karim Khatibi was shot to death in Sofia in the residential area Lyulin 7 on Sunday evening, announced the Interior Ministry later that night. Gunshots were fired at around 6.20pm in a busy area in front of block 704 in the Lyulin residential area.

Neighbours who witnessed the murder reported that Khatibi was ambushed by his killer near his home. The gunman shot five times into his chest, put his gun in a bag and headed towards the nearest underground station. A witness pursued him but could not catch him, as the killer made his escape in a cab.

The gun probably had a silencer, as only blunt noises were heard. Khatibi died immediately from his wounds. Although the victim was with his wife at the time, she was uninjured by the gunman.

The police have prepared a description of the killer based on what witnesses saw, said the Interior Ministry. He was described as a Caucasian with black hair, stocky, and carrying a green Adidas bag. Neighbours had noticed him in the area for at least five days leading up to the shooting. He had often been spotted in a nearby coffee house. On the day of the murder he was wearing a short-sleeved shirt and dark trousers.

As the investigation continues, several suspects are presently being questioned by police. Khatibi was a resident of Bulgaria and had a trading business in the country. Some of the neighbours (under the condition of anonymity) claimed that he had been noticed in the company of drug dealers. They also said that Khatibi was shot twice on May 31, 2000. Police presently believe the murder was prompted either by unpaid debts or Khatibi's involvement with drug deals.