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Sunday, April 13, 2008
19:30 Mecca time, 16:30 GMT
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News Europe
Bulgarian interior minister resigns
Petkov forced to step down over crime scandal [EPA]
Rumen Petkov, Bulgaria's interior minister, has resigned, admitting that he misled the government in connection with allegations of corruption.
 
Petkov told a news conference in the capital, Sofia, on Sunday: "I resign as interior minister."
 
He steps down after two senior police officers were arrested on abuse of power charges.
The centre-left coalition has been under pressure from the European Union to take action on alleged leaks from interior ministry officials to criminals, foiling work by the police.
 
Sergey Stanishev, Bulgaria's prime minister, told journalists that the resignation had been accepted.
Stanishev said Petkov's decision was "normal, logical and dignified".
 
Crime allegations
 
Petkov's resignation came after an escalation in the EU newcomer's struggle against crime that could threaten the cabinet's long-term survival and cost it millions in aid.
 
"I am resigning to allow for a better state," Petkov told reporters.
 
 Source: Agencies
 
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