The court hearing of the case against Volen Siderov, leader of ultra-nationalist Ataka party, was postponed to April 1, Sofia City Court ruled on February 21 2008.

The reason was Siderov's absence from the court room. At the time of the court hearing Siderov was attending the protest rally against the Government organised by Ataka and all the other opposition parties.

Siderov, stripped of his parliamentary immunity for the duration of the lawsuit, is investigated in connection with an incident that happened on April 7 2006 on Trakia Highway. On that day the vehicle Siderov was driving collided with a vehicle driven by Emil Ivanov.

Ivanov claimed he was assaulted after a quarrel with Siderov and Ataka member of Parliament Pavel Chernev. Ivanov's ill grandfather was also assaulted and Siderov allegedly waved a gun at Ivanov.

Afterwards, Siderov claimed the incident was an attempt on his life. Police said later that Siderov and Chernev's testimonies about the incident changed substantially. Weeks after the incident Chernev left Atalka and said he was asked by Siderov to give false testimonies and a investigation was launched against the leader of Ataka.