Bulgarian deputy sentenced for paedophilia

SOFIA, May 9 (Reuters) A Bulgarian parliamentary deputy was sentenced to three years in jail and public censure on paedophilia charges today, a court spokeswoman said.

Sofia City Court found Vladimir Kuzov, an independent deputy, guilty of three sexual acts with a 13-year old boy in 2001. Kuzov, 31, who had been expelled from his opposition nationalist Attack party over the charges, pleaded not guilty and said he would appeal against the verdict.

Sofia has pledged to strengthen its judiciary and show it can impose strict rule of law in line with European Union requirements.

Last year the Balkan country changed its constitution and lifted the full immunity of deputies.

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