Defeated Bulgaria's Ex Interior Minister: Jurgen Roth Is Mudslinger

Bulgaria's Interior Minister Rumen Petkov (pictured) says he will take every care to make sure that "the mudslinger Jurgen Roth is brought to justice". Photo by BGNES

Even after he lost the court battle against Jurgen Roth, Bulgaria's former Interior Minister Rumen Petkov continues to claim the renowned German publicist is a "liar" and "mudslinger".

"There is not a single truth in what Roth says," Rumen Petkov said in an interview for 24 Hours newspaper days after failing to accuse Roth of slander.

He stressed that he has already appealed the court ruling and will take every care to make sure that "the mudslinger is brought to justice".

Petkov refused to comment the ruling before seeing the motives of the court.

A Bulgarian court cleared on Thursday renowned German publicist Jurgen Roth, who was sued by Bulgaria's former Interior Minister Rumen Petkov over alleged slanders in his book about organized crime in Bulgaria, entitled "The new Bulgarian demons".

Sofia District Court rejected the former minister claim that Roth pays him BGN 10,000 in damages.

The trial was held behind closed doors due to the high-profile witnesses, including former head of Unit for Combating Organized Crime (GDBOP) Vanyo Tanov and Former Interior Ministry Chief Secretary Valentin Petrov.

In the book Roth cites sources making scandalous statements that Petkov has relations to organized criminal networks and is involved in the production of synthetic drugs in Bulgaria.

According to high-level unnamed officials in the Interior, quoted by Roth, the former interior minister personally controls the trafficking of amphetamines from Bulgaria to Turkey and the Middle East, which was the practice of the Security Services during the communist regime. Petkov is also said to have met with criminal figures involved in drug production.

The investigative journalist has repeatedly confirmed that he stands behind every single word that he has written and would have done everything in the same way if he had to write his book today.

Jurgen Roth decided not to come to Bulgaria for the trial, saying he fears for his life.

EXCLUSIVE interview with Jurgen Roth READ HERE

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!