site.btaUPDATED Deputy PM Tzitzelkov: There Are No Charges, No Convictions, No Restrictions against Me

Commenting on allegations of having been arrested for marijuana use and driving under the influence of alcohol, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister for Fair Elections Stoil Tzitzelkov wrote in his Facebook page on Friday morning that there are no charges, no convictions, and no restrictions in effect against him at this time.

The Minister said: "For two days now, there has been a massive attack against me. It is not personal. I am simply a convenient target. This is an attack against the cabinet and its main mission – fair elections. This is an attack by circles who know that if the elections are conducted according to the rules, they will not win. This is a last-ditch battle to preserve their influence."

Tzitzelkov said that specified that old administrative cases are being used, as well as inspections with "obvious political motives." He emphasized that he would not allow political attacks to interfere with the work of the cabinet. The Minister added: "I will defend my rights in court against the illegal dissemination of personal data and abuse of power. Politics should be a field of ideas and actions, not a witch hunt."

Tzitzelkov was adamant: "My criminal record is clean, as is my conscience. Fair elections are more important than any individual. Protecting honest elections is my number one cause. I defend it all over the world and will continue to work for normal elections in Bulgaria, ones that respect every vote, do not add extra votes, and do not invalidate hundreds of thousands of ballots."

Tzitzelkov reported that he and caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov have discussed the situation. He added: "And to those who tarnished my name, I will see you in court."

Earlier Friday, President Iliana Iotova reported that she would immediately sign a decree for the resignation of Tzitzelkov, if such a proposal came to her desk.