site.btaMovement for Rights and Freedoms Cancels Membership of Convicted Molester, Replaces Two Local Leaders amid Scandal

Sofia, June 5 (BTA) - The Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) said Tuesday that it has suspended the membership of former MP and convicted child molester Vladimir Kouzov. The decision was announced after a meeting of the top party leadership by MRF leader Mustafa Karadayi at a special news briefing held only a day after reports of Kouzov's recent - and quiet - admission as a MRF member appeared in the news media.

Karadayi said that a check has found his admission to a MRF chapter in one of the Sofia boroughs to be in violation of the established terms and procedures. His membership was therefore declared void.

MRF has also decided to discharge Anton Tepavicharov, the leader of the Sofia borough organization which made Kouzov its member.

Furthermore, Kouzov's admission led to the resignation of the MRF Regional Council leader in Sofia, Nihat Kabil. Karadayi said that the resignation has been accepted by the party leadership.

Vladimir Kouzov was an MP of the nationalist Ataka party until 2006 when he was expelled from the party amid reports that he was being probed for child molestation. He remained an independent MP until early 2009 when he received a conditional sentence for child molestation and lost his seat in Parliament. He has since served his sentence.

Anton Tepavicharov told the press that Kouzov's admission complied with the established party terms and procedure, and that MRF never asked members to submit a conviction status certificate when they applied for membership. The reports of Kouzov's admission, however, caused an outrage in the party ranks, prompting the expulsion decision.