Bulgarian ex-minister charged over illegal eavesdropping

PanARMENIAN.Net - Bulgaria's former Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov has been charged for illegally eavesdropping on political opponents while in office, according to The Associated Press.

Prosecutors on Wednesday, June 12, charged Tsvetanov with allegedly failing to exercise proper control over police officials, enabling the unauthorized deployment and use of special surveillance equipment against high-profile politicians, magistrates and businessmen.

Tsvetanov denies any wrongdoing and has called the charges politically motivated. He could face up to eight years in prison if found guilty.

Prosecutors have already charged four police officials with wiretapping political opponents of the former center-right government, which stepped down amid public unrest in February. On Wednesday, prosecutors said Tsvetanov was responsible for their actions.