Slavi Binev (60), President of the Bulgarian Taekwondo Federation and Vice President of the European Taekwondo Union, was shot dead at his home in Sofia, Bulgaria, on the 24th (local time), local police announced.

According to the Associated Press, police responded to a report of a shooting at around 10:30 a.m. that day and found Binev already dead upon arrival.

A high-ranking police official told reporters that three suspects were arrested on a highway on the outskirts of Sofia.

Among the suspects, two are Turkish nationals, while the remaining one was reportedly carrying a Bulgarian identity document.

Police officials added that the suspects were armed, but did not provide specific details regarding the motive for the crime.

Born in December 1965, Binev built a successful career as a taekwondo athlete and coach before entering politics, serving as a member of the Bulgarian Parliament and the European Parliament.

While serving as the head of the Bulgarian Taekwondo Federation, he was also appointed as a Kukkiwon board member in 2019.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]