The proposed changes to the Penal Code by "There Is Such a People" (ITN) sparked a strong reaction in Parliament, with MP Atanas Atanasov, chairman of "Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria" (DSB), part of the parliamentary group of "We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria", defining them as contradicting the Constitution and a number of international acts. His comments were made in the corridors of Parliament, where the tension was palpable after the meeting of the parliamentary committee on constitutional and legal affairs.
Yesterday, the committee approved on first reading changes to the Penal Code, which provide for the criminalization of the dissemination of media containing information about a person's private life without their consent. The meeting was held extraordinarily, during the break of the plenary session, which further emphasized the urgency of the matter.
"After chalga entered politics and parliament, now it will enter criminal law," noted Atanas Atanasov, underlining the absurdity of the proposed changes. He added that they represent a "complete legal absurdity" .
The MP emphasized the introduction of the possibility of using special intelligence means against journalists and vloggers for the dissemination of information about private life. "What does people's private life mean? If Prime Minister Zhelyazkov is filmed with his wife in front of the hotel with the waterfall, is that private life?", he asked, questioning the scope and interpretation of the new provisions.
"We must make every effort to have it overturned in the plenary hall," said Atanasov, defining the changes as an attempt to repress free people, free speech, dissemination and expression.
MP Yordan Ivanov added to the criticisms, stating: "If ethics could be regulated through forms in the Penal Code, ITN, after everything they have done on their television, would not be in parliament now, but in prison. At the very least, Boyko Borisov and Lili Ivanova would have filed complaints against them. We will raise a fuss to the heavens and will notify European institutions, if necessary, so that it cannot move forward," emphasizing the opposition's determination to oppose the proposed changes.
ITN's proposal provides for punishment for anyone who "through print or other mass media, through electronic information systems or otherwise disseminates material or other media containing information about the private life of another person without their consent". The punishment includes imprisonment from one to six years and a fine of two thousand to five thousand leva. The bill specifies that information about private life is defined as data about personal relationships, family relationships, intimate relationships, or the health condition of a natural person.