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Kolju Todorov “The Smith” Mateev

1844 – 1876

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Kolju "The Smith" Mateev (1844 in Ostretz - 1876 in Novo Selo), was cruelly murdered by the Turks. He was part of the Apriltsi Uprising resistance by forging weapons for the rebels. When he was captured by the turkish enemy, the 10th May 1876, the Bashibosuk forced him to carry them on his back, starting from the cemetery up in Novo Selo. Far away from there, where he collapsed, the Bashibosuk murdered him, cutting him into pieces. They cut off his legs, his hands, then his eyes. Finally, they hacked off his head. A memorial was erected to his honour on the way from Novo Selo, Apriltsi to Ostretz, at the exit of Novo Selo.