Bulgaria Red Faced over Mafia Politician Trend

By Austrian Times

Bulgarian ministers have pledged to stop crooks getting into Parliament because of the instant get-out-of-jail free card that comes with the job.

Bulgarian underworld bosses Plamen Galev and Angel Hristov walked free from prison on Monday after registering as candidates in the country's parliamentary elections next month.

The pair had been facing charges of torture, prostitution, blackmail, extortion and drug running - but were freed so they can conduct their election campaigns.

If they win their seats they will become immune from any prosecution for their four year term of office, a move that has angered the European Commission (EC).

The country's EU Minister Gergana Passy said Bulgarians did not need the European Commission's help fighting what she called "this top trend in local politics" - and that Bulgaria would tackle the case alone.

But the problem is not confined to Bulgaria. In Romania, a soccer boss with Mafia links has been freed from jail where he was facing kidnap charges after becoming an MEP in the European Parliament elections earlier this month.

Tycoon Gigi Becali is accused of kidnapping three teenagers after they stole his 100,000 S Class Mercedes limo without realising who owned it. The Steaua Bucharest FC boss's car was returned by the terrified crooks within minutes - valeted, polished and topped up with petrol.

Becali is fighting a travel ban that prevents him leaving Romania to claim his seat - because as soon as he arrives in Brussels he qualifies for immunity from prosecution anywhere within the EU.

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