Bulgarian mafia boss shot outside courthouse

Bulgarian mafia boss shot outside courthouse

Band leader Zlatomir Ivanov was on the way to a hearing when unidentified men fired several shots at him, probably from an apartment building across the street.

Police said  Ivanov hit by four shots in the leg arms and stomach.

He was operated on at a hospital Tuesday afternoon, but the condition is unknown.

One of the band leader's bodyguards responded to the shots, but was himself struck and injured in the leg.

The drama unfolded on the steps outside the courtroom, and cause panic among passers-by who had to take cover, according to news agency AP.

Shortly after shots fire broke out on the top of a residential building nearby, which may indicate that the perpetrators tried to cover up the tracks.

Organized crime

44 years old Ivanov was last year sentenced to eight years in prison for leading an organized criminal group that was involved in extensive drug trafficking.

He appealed, and has been under house arrest since. He was on his way to a hearing in connection with the appeal, when he was fired.

For less than two weeks was a Bulgarian leader victim of an assassination attempt while he stood on the podium during the party congress.