The driver of nationalist leader Volen Siderov faces three criminal charges, including hooliganism, light body harm and property damage.

Though earlier speaking he was not the bully-player in a recent scandalous highway assault on a young man, Lyubomir Bakardzhiev, 22, admitted his involevement in front of a judge on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old man, who has a criminal record, was dragged into the scandal a day earlier by the initial suspect, Ataka deputy leader Pavel Chernev.

Being questioned in Pazardzhik, Bakardzhiev said he did beat Yavor Dokov on the night of April 7.

Despite several twisting versions on the accident, it was revealed Volen Siderov's car crashed into another one driven by 22-year-old Yavor Dokov. Then the young man was beaten up by a passenger accompanying Volen Siderov.

The initially suspected Pavel Chernev was not at the scene of accident at the time of the assault, Lyubomir Bakardzhiev has confirmed.

Chernev has accused Volen Siderov of talking him into lying about the road accident to protect the driver who is on probation.

In 2003 Lyubomir Bakardzhiev received a suspended sentence of seven months and three years on probation. He was found guilty of stealing chewing guns and razors from shops in two villages.

His defense lawyer at the trial was Pavel Chernev, local 24 Hours daily revealed.

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