Bulgarian prosecutors ask to investigate two MPs
Bulgaria’s prosecutor-general has asked Parliament to lift the immunity from prosecution from two MP, deputy speaker Anastas Anastassov said on October 24.
The two MPs, Gyunai Sefer and Mithat Tabakov, are members of the opposition predominantly ethnic Turk Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF). Prosecutors said that they needed the MPs’ immunity lifted to properly investigate a case against the two.
The duo is to be investigated for embezzlement, document fraud and, in Tabakov’s case, also abuse of power, in relation to a contract for building a road between Silistra and Shoumen, in northeastern Bulgaria, reports in local media said.
Tabakov was mayor of Doulovo and signed the road-construction contract, while Sefer approved it when he was district governor of Silistra.
This is the third investigation against Tabakov, who was last year convicted by a first-instance court, of signing a unfavourable contract for Doulovo municipality. He was sentenced to five years imprisonment.
Last week, he was also found guilty of accepting a 10 000 leva bribe to sign a contract for the upgrade of the water sewerage network in Doulovo. He was sentenced to four years in jail, a five-year ban from holding public office and a 5000 leva fine, as well as turning in the 10 000 leva bribe.
(Photo of Bulgarian Parliament by Clive Leviev-Sawyer)
