site.btaProsecutor General Moves to Strip Ataka Leader Siderov of Immunity in Two More Instances

Prosecutor General Moves to Strip Ataka Leader Siderov of Immunity in Two More Instances

Sofia, November 30 (BTA) - Prosecutor General Sotir Tsatsarov has submitted motions to strip Ataka Leader Volen Siderov of immunity in two cases from 2011 and 2013, the prosecution service said on Monday.

On May 17, 2011 Siderov interrupted formal observances of the 135th anniversary of the April Uprising in Batak when he burst onto the stage followed by supporters and fellow Ataka members, violating and disrespecting public order in an extremely arrogant manner.

The second motion is in connection with an incident on May 21 2013 outside Parliament in Sofia, when Siderov clashed physically with a journalist from SKAT TV, demanding an apology about a statement made by the TV station owner. Later the Ataka leader attacked the police officer who tried to break up the men.

Under the Bulgarian legislation a motion for stripping the MP of immunity needs to be placed with the legislature for each indictable offence in order to ensure the protection of MPs against criminal prosecution. Parliament's express consent is required each time the prosecution authorities want to prosecute a deputy.

Siderov and fellow party member Dessislav Choukolov have already been charged with hooliganism involving extreme arrogance and for coercion committed in late October. On November 17, Siderov and fellow party member and MP Dessislav Choukolov were arrested, but were released on bail later. The two voluntarily gave up their MP immunity.