“Shortly before our regular meetings with the groups forming the majority at the National Assembly at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesdays [leader of Ataka party] Volen Siderov and lawmakers with his [parliamentary] group requested a meeting,” said Tsetska Tsacheva, Chairperson of the National Assembly, speaking for the Bulgarian National Television (BNT) on Tuesday.

“We discussed the procedure regarding the request of the Prosecutor General for lifting the immunity of two lawmakers. As regards the two latest requests on Monday, there are requests for the arrest of the MPs in question,” Ms Tsacheva noted.

She specified Volen Siderov had informed her he would not give up his MP’s immunity in written form, of his own free will.

“I informed him I have tabled a draft decision on the formation of a special committee to become familiar with the materials of the Prosecutor General and present draft decisions to be voted on in the plenary hall as the first item on tomorrow’s [parliamentary] agenda,” the parliament chair stated.

She noted 48 signatures were needed for the establishment of an ad hoc committee.

“The [parliamentary] groups forming the majority united around the hypothesis I should personally table [the draft decision] as chairperson. We agreed a 7-day deadline was needed so that the committee holds sittings this week and the MPs decide on the requests of the Prosecutor’s Office next week,” Tsetska Tsacheva stated.

She said further the situation would be commented on with the rest of parliamentary groups at the so-called chairperson’s council sitting.

“Such behaviour harms the prestige of the National Assembly for the actions we witnessed cannot be tolerated if they are taken by any Bulgarian citizens, let alone an MP,” Tsacheva stated.