Bulgarian Prosecution Charges Nationalist Ataka MPs with Hooliganism

Nationalist Ataka leader Volen Siderov (R) and his fellow party member Desislav Chukolov (L). Photo: BGNES

The Bulgarian prosecutor's office charged nationalist Ataka leader Volen Siderov and his fellow party member Desislav Chukolov with hooliganism.

The two MPs are accused of hooliganism for their attack on an alcohol and tobacco store in Sofia in October last year.

Siderov and Chukolov first accused the shop owners of selling drugs and illicit cigarettes. This later escalated into brawls with the shop owners, citizens and police officers.

The two MPs are accused of hooliganism (coupled with exceptional cynicism and boldness) and inflicting light injuries on two police officers.

If convicted of hooliganism they are facing imprisonment of up to five years, while the second charge foresees up to three years in prison.

The two MPs were also involved in two other incidents in the area of the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts (NATFIZ) in October 2015.

Following the attack on the alcohol and tobacco store, they also twice rushed in the building of NATFIZ, disrupting classes and accusing students of using drugs.

The two MPs were detained in November last year, but several hours later they were released on bail.

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