Court rules in favor of collaborators

SOFIA, Bulgaria, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Bulgaria's Constitutional Court has overturned a rule prohibiting collaborators with the former communist regime from serving in key parliamentary posts.

The measure adopted at the end of July was ruled unconstitutional on grounds it limits the rights of members of parliament, the Sofia News Agency reported Friday.

"There is no doubt that the parliament is in no position to limit the rights of members of parliament," the court said. "This stems from the very fact that they are members of parliament, which means they are representatives of the sovereignty."

The court added that the prohibition also breaches the basic law of equality for all citizens of Bulgaria.

The measure was aimed at members of parliament who collaborated with State Security, the intelligence and secret police during the former communist regime.