Sofia City Prosecutor lays charges against Ataka leader Siderov over Varna flight incident
The Sofia City Prosecutor’s office said on April 9 2014 that it had submitted to the Sofia City Council formal criminal charges against Ataka leader Volen Siderov in connection with January 6 incidents on a flight from Sofia to Varna and at the airport itself.
The incidents involved the far-right ultra-nationalist leader in a verbal clash with a French diplomat, Stephanie Dumortier, and further clashes – including with police – in the airport parking area in Bulgaria’s Black Sea city.
The prosecutor’s office said that Siderov behaved indecently, grossly violating public order and expressing obvious disrespect for society.
With hooligan behaviour, Siderov had caused a confrontation and made offensive remarks to French citizen Dumortier, prosecutors said.
In the airstrip bus transporting passengers from the aircraft to the airport terminal, Siderov had a confrontation with Dimitar Bahnev, shouting at him, pushing him and trying to kick and hit him, according to the indictment.
In the area of the airport terminal and parking area, Siderov had continued to behave in unseemly fashion. He had shouted offensive remarks and insults at police.
This, the charge sheet, was accompanied by resistance to authority, against police Milen Kateliev and Nedko Nedev, who were performing their duties in maintaining public order.
Siderov was further charged with injuring policeman Kostadin Kolev by punching him.
Siderov, who denies wrongdoing, earlier relinquished his immunity as a member of Parliament from prosecution.
