Education

MS Crime and Criminal Justice, Leiden University

MA Political Pathologies of the Global World, Sofia University

BA Political Science, Sofia University

Biography

Vladislav Krastev is an Associate Analyst at the Security Program of the Center for the Study of Democracy, where he specialises in issues related to crime and security. He is also pursuing a PhD at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” focusing on the role of football hooliganism as a pathway to radicalisation and violent extremism among young people in Bulgaria. With an academic background in Criminology and Political Science, Krastev has developed extensive policy analysis and qualitative research expertise. His professional experience includes conducting semi-structured and in-depth interviews, facilitating focus groups, and contributing to the development of case studies across a broad range of topics, including the illicit tobacco trade, human trafficking, people smuggling, migration, vehicle theft, cybercrime, illegal logging, and firearms trafficking. Krastev's work critically analyses the political and social dynamics within Bulgaria and the EU, offering insights into how these factors influence crime and security trends.

Vladislav has completed several training programmes, including the UNODC Stakeholder Engagement for the Implementation of the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime course and the UNODC International Classification of Crime for Statistical Purposes (ICCS) courses. He has also undertaken training on terrorism and counterterrorism, international security management, criminal justice, and risk in modern society.