Bulgarian Interior Minister Says Goodbye with Controversial Press Conference

Bulgaria's outgoing Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov staged a farewell press conference on Tuesday that local media have described as emotional and controversial.

After showcasing the achievements of his Ministry over the last three years, Tsvetanov invited a number of crime victims, relatives of crime victims and key witnesses in highly publicized trials to praise his work.

Entrepreneurs Angel Bonchev and Kiro Kirov, who were kidnapped by a crime gang that was allegedly captured in 2009, were among those invited.

Mothers of children who have been killed in traffic accidents were also present at the event. They thanked Tsvetanov for his efforts to introduce tougher sanctions for drivers who commit serious traffic offences.

People from Biser, a village that was hit by a disastrous flood in 2012, also expressed their gratitude to the Interior Minister.

Tsvetanov himself declared that he is "extremely proud" of his work.

Tuesday marked Tsvetan Tsvetanov's last day in office.

A caretaker government is to be unveiled by President Rosen Plevneliev later that day.