Petrohan Scandal: ITN Calls for Resignation, Alleges Cover-Up & Pedophile Network
- A series of deaths at a remote lodge in the Petrohan Pass of Bulgaria has ignited a political controversy, with accusations of a protected pedophile network and questions...
- The initial discovery at the Petrohan lodge revealed three men dead from gunshot wounds, alongside two deceased dogs.
- The controversy deepened with accusations leveled by members of the “There Is Such a People” (ITN) party against current and former government officials.
Bulgarian Commune Deaths Spark Political Firestorm, Allegations of Pedophile Network
A series of deaths at a remote lodge in the Petrohan Pass of Bulgaria has ignited a political controversy, with accusations of a protected pedophile network and questions surrounding financial transparency. The case, which began with the discovery of three bodies on February 2, 2026, has rapidly escalated, drawing in prominent political figures and raising concerns about the oversight of non-governmental organizations.
The initial discovery at the Petrohan lodge revealed three men dead from gunshot wounds, alongside two deceased dogs. A week later, three more bodies were found, bringing the total death toll to six. The lodge, purchased in 2020 by Ivaylo Kalushev, a cave explorer and self-described Buddhist spiritual teacher, was rented in 2021 to Ivaylo Ivanov, who holds a master’s degree in international law and economics. The property is registered as a “NAKZT Mountain Rangers Facility,” with NAKZT standing for the National Agency for Control of Protected Areas – a public-benefit association registered in 2022.
The controversy deepened with accusations leveled by members of the “There Is Such a People” (ITN) party against current and former government officials. ITN leader Toshko Yordanov alleged that Boislav Sandov initially denied visiting the lodge, then admitted to visiting three times “to drink tea.” He further claimed that current Prime Minister Kiril Petkov also visited the lodge during his time in office.
Yordanov sharply criticized Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev for comparing a donation made to the Petrohan NPO with a donation to “Pirogov” hospital, calling the comparison “disgusting.” He also drew parallels to a crisis unfolding in the United Kingdom, where the entire government was reportedly on the brink of collapse due to the involvement of a foreign minister in the Jeffrey Epstein files.
A central claim made by ITN is that a protected pedophile network operated during the previous government, led by “Continue the Change.” Yordanov asserted that reports of such activity were suppressed while Boyko Rashkov served as Minister of Interior. Stanislav Balabanov of ITN stated that 120 pages of documents related to the case are currently held in the parliament’s registry and that he had begun reviewing them but was hampered by the sensitive nature of the information contained within.
Financial irregularities surrounding the NPO are also under scrutiny. Balabanov pointed out that the organization received approximately €80,000 in donations that were neither declared nor accounted for. This lack of transparency has fueled accusations of illicit activity and improper use of funds.
The case has also brought to light a deeply personal and disturbing account from Sofia Andreeva, a long-time follower and close associate of Ivaylo Kalushev. In an interview, Andreeva reportedly disowned her own son, labeling him a “moral murderer” and blaming him for the current scrutiny surrounding Kalushev and the others involved.
Yordanov further accused the “Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria” (PP-DB) coalition of repeatedly blocking ITN’s initiatives to establish a public registry of pedophiles. He also recalled ITN’s previous efforts to ban “gay propaganda” in schools.
Slavi Trifonov, also of ITN, called for Vasil Terziev to resign if he had donated funds to the controversial NPO. He concluded with a stark statement, declaring, “I prefer to be a chalga singer than a pedophile.”
Yordanov highlighted what he described as a pattern of corruption, citing the example of “Green Movement” receiving millions of leva for the protection of pelicans that subsequently died, characterizing it as a “classic example of mafia activity and collusion with the state.”
The case continues to unfold, with ITN vowing to continue investigating and publicizing the matter. The party has proposed amendments to regulations governing NPOs to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future. The Bulgarian Prosecutor’s Office has reportedly provided the parliament with materials from the ongoing investigations.