Two Bulgarian Nationalist Ataka MPs Give Up Immunity from Criminal Prosecution

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

Two Bulgarian Nationalist Ataka MPs have given up their immunity from criminal prosecution, which would allow for proceedings into their alleged involvement in two incidents in downtown Sofia to take place.

Volen Siderov, the leader of Ataka, and his fellow party member Desislav Chukolov, have been involved in three incidents in the area of the National academy for theatre and film arts (NATFIZ) in the past month.

In the first instance, they accused the owners of an alcohol and tobacco store next to the building of NATFIZ of selling drugs and illicit cigarettes, which resulted in a brawl with the shop owners, citizens and policemen.

In the next two instances, they rushed into the building of NATFIZ, disturbing classes and accusing students of using drugs.

Chief Prosecutor Sotir Tsatsarov had twice called on parliament to lift the immunity of the two MPs and demanded the detention of Siderov and Chukolov.

In the case concerning the attack on the store, the parliament voted in favour of lifting their immunity after the two MPs had not given up their immunity voluntarily.

In the second case concerning the incursions into NATFIZ, the two MPs gave up their immunity on the last possible day.

On Tuesday, the Prosecutor's Office accused the two MPs of hooliganism carried out with an extraordinary degree of cynicism and inflicting light injuries to a police officer.

If the two MPs are convicted, Siderov could be sentenced to three years in prison, while Chukolov could face a five-year imprisonment, private bTV station informs.

 

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