2 More Liberal Bulgarian MPs Face Criminal Charges

Two more lawmakers from Bulgaria's liberal, predominantly ethnic Turkish Movement for Rights and Freedoms, (DPS), are facing charges for financial crimes.

They are Shterio Shterev and Petar Angelov, Members of the Parliament from DPS.

According to Nova TV, the charges could be pressed as early as next week.

In July, Bulgaria's Chief Prosecutor, Sotir Tsatsatov, requested Parliament to lift the MP immunity of Shterev over an ongoing investigation against him for money laundering and financial crimes.

A day later, Shterio Sterev handed in a declaration stating his consent to be stripped of his immunity from prosecution, but claimed he was innocent.

The MP explained that he had been the subject of pre-trial proceedings for money laundering and document forgery in 2008, but specified he had had not been summoned for a questioning since then.

Petar Angelov is probed for large-scale tax evasion in the amount of BGN 4 M through a scam involving fictitious trade and other deals and participating in an organized crime group.

Hristo Biserov, a prominent DPS figure, resigned from all leadership posts after he was charged with financial crimes. His whereabouts remain unknown.