Bulgarian prosecutors on Friday indicted a man accused of the rape and murder of a television journalist and the court hearing the case ordered him to remain in custody pending trial.

Severin Krasimirov, 20, was handcuffed and under heavy guard when he appeared before the regional court in the northern town of Ruse.

He told journalists that he had approached journalist Viktoria Marinova and hit her in the face.

"Yes, I am guilty. I am sorry, I can't believe I did this," he said.

Prosecutors called for him to be tried for Marinova's rape and murder.

According to media reports, he had already admitted that to police in Germany where he was arrested.