The People's Representative from "Continuing Change - Democratic Bulgaria" (PP-DB) Vasil Pandov announced his intention to sue the leader of "There is such a people" Slavi Trifonov. The statement was made today on the sidelines of the National Assembly in response to a series of accusations made against him in connection with the protests and incidents surrounding them.
According to Pandov, a coordinated attack based on untruths is being waged against him. He commented on the claims of both Delyan Peevski and Slavi Trifonov.
"Peevski and Trifonov decided to practice manipulations against me. Peevski yesterday made the absurd claim that I was the cause of the death of a police officer. The Minister of Health and the relatives of the deceased explained that I had nothing to do with this", said Vasil Pandov.
The MP was categorical that he would seek his rights through legal means because of the allegations of the leader of the ITN.
"Trifonov wrote in a post that I had provoked violence and aggression against employees of the Ministry of Health – this is also a lie and manipulation. The incident happened far from where I was. I spoke with several police chiefs, they warned me that there were provocateurs of the protest", added the MP.
Pandov emphasized his confidence in the outcome of the case: "The good thing is that every lie crashes in court – slander. I will file a case against Trifonov and he will have to prove it. The good thing is that there are many people, many witnesses, police officers who know where I was."
He promised that if successful in the courtroom, the compensation would be donated to organizations supporting women who have suffered violence.
In his speech, the MP raised questions about the organization of tension during the protest.
"Who sent the Skull and the provocateurs? The incident with the ladies from the Ministry of Health was in one of the alleys where there were provocateurs. Who had an interest in tarnishing this peaceful protest of the citizens?", Pandov asked rhetorically.
According to Vasil Pandov, the attack against him is not accidental and aims to distract attention from important social issues and legislative initiatives.
"Why did Peevski and Trifonov decide to deal with me on one day? I see two reasons. Instead of commenting on this protest of thousands, they decided to speak at my address," he commented.
As an example of neglected important topics, he pointed to the debates in the health committee, where he proposed that the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) take over the flu vaccines for children - a measure that would cost a negligible part of the fund's budget, but was rejected by the government without reasons.