Bulgarian Interior Minister: Tsvetanov's Life Is under Threat

Bulgarian services do indeed have tipoffs that the lives of former Interior Minister, Tsvetan Tsvetanov, and his family are in danger.

The admission has been made by Tsvetanov's caretaker successor, Petya Parvanova, cited by 24 Chassa (24 Hours) daily.

She noted the above was the reason the former Minister has been provided with guards and a vehicle of the National Security Service, NSO.

Parvanova explained she has inherited a "well-functioning institution."

According to her, there is no recent increase of crime in the country, while the crime rate in the capital Sofia has slightly dropped. She also stated Bulgaria has achieved a significant success in the fight against organized crime, which has been confirmed at the last meeting of the Council of EU Interior Ministers.

On the question how she felt for being the first ever female Interior Minister, Parvanova said she was thankful for the gentlemen attitude of her male colleagues.

"The Interior Ministry is multifunctional. When someone is responsible and wants to do a god job, this person sits and reads. This is what I am doing now. I became accustomed in detail with the Election Code so that I can be aware of our duties. I also already read all decrees for dealing with disasters and emergency situations," the caretaker Minister says.

She reiterated Bulgaria has fulfilled all criteria for Schengen membership, which is been hurdled for political reasons only.

"This would not stop us from adhering to our commitments. In reality, we are a Schengen member. Formally, we are not," Parvanova concluded.