Bulgaria's Ex-Interior Minister Faces Fresh Charges

Bulgaria's former Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov. Photo by BGNES

Bulgarian Chief Prosecutor Sotir Tsatsarov has once again asked Parliament to strip former Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov of his immunity, as he faces new charges.

Tsvetanov’s immunity as lawmaker was lifted earlier in June, when he was accused of failing to exercise proper control over Interior Ministry officials, thereby enabling his subordinates to eavesdrop high-profile politicians, magistrates and businesspeople.

It was made clear on Monday that Tsvetanov would face another trial – this time for refusing the deployment of special surveillance devices during an investigation against Orlin Todorov, former head of Veliko Tarnovo’s regional anti-mafia unit.

Prosecutors say Tsvetanov violated the Special Surveillance Devices Act and the Penal Code by refusing the deployment of special surveillance devices. Charges are to be pressed against him by the end of July.

The former Interior Minister (2009-2013) will be charged with obstructing justice, according to local media. The alleged violation has been discovered during the investigation against former Interior Ministry official Stanimir Florov, who is believed to be a close ally of Tsvetanov.

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