A far-right nationalist candidate in the November 14th presidential election in Bulgaria has been arrested and charged with hooliganism and causing bodily harm in the weekend attack on an LGBT community center in Sofia, prosecutors announced today.
Bayan Rasate, known for his extremist stances against the LGBT community, was remanded in custody for 72 hours after being stripped of his presidential immunity.
He has pleaded not guilty to none of the charges against him and has refused to make any statements, prosecutors said.
“The crimes committed stand out for their incredible audacity and disrespect for the democratic foundations of the state,” prosecutors said in a statement.
A group of about 10 people led by Rasate stormed the Rainbow Hub center during a trans community event late Saturday, hitting an employee in the face, overturning benches and tables, said the Bilitis Foundation, which runs the community center. The attack was criticized by Bulgaria's leading political parties and strongly condemned by embassies in 11 western countries in Sofia.
The ambassadors of the United States, Britain, France, Ireland, Denmark and the Netherlands, among others, issued a joint statement calling the attack “absurd” and visited the Rainbow Hub on Monday to show solidarity.
Rasate, who was convicted of disorderly conduct during the first gay parade in Sofia in 2008, faces up to five years in prison if convicted.
Source: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ
