The hearing of the case against Volen Siderov, leader of ultra-nationalist Ataka party, and his wife Kapka Siderova, was finally given the green light by the Sofia City Court on May 7 2008. Siderov is accused by the prosecution of giving false testimonies in relation to an incident that happened on April 7 2006 on Trakia Highway.

On that day the vehicle Siderov was driving collided with a vehicle driven by Emil Ivanov, who claimed that he was assaulted after a quarrel with Siderov and Ataka member of Parliament Pavel Chernev. Ivanov's ill grandfather was also assaulted and Siderov allegedly waved a gun at Ivanov.

Afterwards, Siderov claimed the incident was an attempt on his life. Police said later that Siderov and Chernev's testimonies about the incident changed substantially over time. Several weeks after the incident, Chernev left Ataka and said that he was asked by Siderov to lie to the police, which launched a probe against Ataka's leader.

The case has been postponed four times, the last being on April 1 2008. The reason then was the absence of Siderov's lawyer Marin Markovski, who allegedly had fever and could not attend.

On May 7, Markovski asked the judges to dismiss the case for lack of clarity in the indictment bill, which did not say when exactly the two defendants gave false testimonies. After the court rejected his request, Markovski asked for a new panel to be appointed, which was also rejected by the court.

Around 50 Ataka supporters were present in the court room and shouted “Volen” and “Mafia”, according to mediapool.bg.