A Bulgarian corporal was found dead in his apartment in Sofia's Nadezhda district, the Defence Ministry said.

Corporal Valentin Sariev was among the first troops to take part in Bulgaria's peacekeeping operation in Iraq.

Three years ago Sariev survived a suicide blast, targeting Kerbala's India base. Five Bulgarians died.

Sariev's wife found his body on the night of November 28, Darik Radio reported. The man shot himself with a legally-owned weapon.

After his return from the peacekeeping operation, Sariev continued his military career in Bulgaria.

Military prosecution is still investigating the causes of his suicide.