site.btaInterior Minister Sees "Panic-Driven Attack" as Prosecution Service Starts Check against Him

Caretaker Interior Minister Emil Dechev sees a "panic-driven attack" against himself as the prosecution service has started a probe against him. "The prosecution has launched a panic-driven attack against me as minister," Dechev said in an interview with Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) Tuesday.

"At the moment, we are witnessing the panicked moves of a system that senses its own end. Within hours, a tragicomedy in several acts has unfolded before my eyes," he commented.

He said that on Monday night, he was informed by the leadership of General Directorate Combating Organized Crime (GDCOC) that the prosecution service has ordered a preliminary probe against him. "I am ready to provide full cooperation to my colleagues from GDCOC," he added.

He denied having put any pressure on law-enforcers investigating a high-profile multiple deaths case - the Petrohan-Okolchitsa Case - that has shocked the country. 

He also provided details of meetings he held with the outgoing Interior Ministry Secretary General - the highest professional position at the Ministry, and the Deputy Secretary General, where he informed them that they "would have to part ways" and what his arguments were.

Dechev also announced three new Deputy Ministers, an acting Interior Ministry Secretary General and possible changes at the head of regional police departments.