Bulgarian Ex-Top Cop Remains Tight Lipped on Wiretapping

Former Bulgarian Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov was questioned for more than 2.5 hours by Bulgaria's special prosecution for organized crime Tuesday.

Upon emerging from the prosecution's office, Tsvetanov did not comment too much about the interrogation in front of journalists who waited for him.

Earlier Tuesday, Tsvetanov had spent some 5 hours at the Sofia City Prosecution to give details on proceedings against police anti-mafia unit head Stanimir Florov, who has been charged with accepting bribes to facilitate drug trafficking.

Upon exiting the specialized prosecutor's office Tuesday evening, the former Interior Minister suggested that the interrogation there had to to with the so-called "wiretapping scandal."

Earlier this month, Bulgaria's prosecution announced findings showing that under Tsvetanov, Bulgarian police had engaged in what seems to be excessive and wrongful use of special surveillance devices.

Three police directors were formally charged with malfeasance in the wiretapping case Tuesday.

On his part, Tsvetanov commented only that it is only normal that he be summoned as a witness by the prosecurtion.

Tsvetan Tsvetanov is vice-chair and campaign chief for Bulgaria's former ruling GERB party, which hopes to regain power at May 12 early elections.

After his first interrogation Tuesday, Tsvetanov restated his firm belief in the professionalism and innocence of Florov, admitting he is a childhood friend of his.

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