Sun, Nov 22 2009

Galevi brothers set free to stand for Parliament

Tue, Jun 16 2009 17:43 CET 1589 Views 3 Comments
Galevi brothers set free to stand for Parliament

Angel Hristov, second from the left, and Plamen Galev on their way out of Sofia central prison escorted by their lawyers

Photo: Anelia Nikolova

Plamen Galev and Angel Hristov, commonly referred as the "Galevi brothers", have left Sofia central prison, Bulgarian news agency Focus said on June 16 2009.

They were set free on 50 000 leva bail each by the court after both were registered as candidates for Parliament ahead of the July 5 2009 elections. Both were apprehended in December 2008 and have been under arrest ever since. As candidates for Parliament, however, they have to be set free for the duration of the 21-day long campaign.

If elected to Parliament, both will have immunity from prosecution. Earlier this week Galev had said that he would ask to be stripped of his immunity should he make it to Parliament.

The prosecution has seven days to protest against the "Galevi brothers'" release from jail.

Galev and Hristov are accused of organising and controlling a criminal group which had allegedly used fear, physical force and extortion in its activities. Prosecutors filed the indictment against the two on June 11 2009.

Plamen Galev will run as a majority candidate from his home town of Doupnitsa. An initiative committee collected more than 14 000 signatures. At least 10 000 signatures are needed to run for MP in any of Bulgaria's 31 majoritarian precincts.

Angel Hristov will run as a majority candidate from the town of Pernik on the ticket of the little-known Liberal Alternative and Peace party.

He is also the party candidate in the Kyustendil electoral region.

Comments

Anonymous roflem Fri, Jun 26 2009 00:11 CET
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Dont forget Romania, another joke with the wrong people laughing! One wonders what the EU thought when they pulled them into the club? But with Italy and France showing what sort of leaders are " possible" where is the big difference? Isnt the dream of every criminal to wear a white vest?

Anonymous Seb Wed, Jun 17 2009 22:19 CET
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Amazing that this is possible.

Anonymous Philosopher Wed, Jun 17 2009 09:07 CET
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Bulgaria: Once again the biggest joke of the EU !

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