Sofia mayor Boyko Borisov lashed at Economy Minister Rumen Ovcharov and Socialist councilors for the delay in the lawsuit against the former head of Sofia's heating utility Toplofikatsiya, Valentin Dimitrov.

The lawsuit is a classic case of money laundering, with plenty of evidence in that sense, and should have been settled in one month, Borissov said.

He blamed Ovcharov, the Socialist minister, and municipal councilors from the Socialist party for the crisis in the company.

Ovcharov controls the company as economy and energy minister on one hand and through the Socialist councilors, Borissov said.

The Sofia mayor, the unofficial leader of the center-right GERB, has been one of the most outspoken critics of the Socialist-led government, with whom he clashed numerous times on a whole array of issues.

GERB is second in opinion polls behind the Socialists before the European Parliament elections in the country, scheduled for May 20.

"I am sick of this topic. I am asked the same question every day. Prosecutors should investigate not only went on in Sofia, but the entire country," said Borissov, who became mayor of Sofia in 2005 on the back of public support gained while he was the country's top cop.

Borissov also said he ordered a new audit of the company's finances, but declined to offer any additional details.

Dimitrov was arrested in July last year after Toplofikatsiya, Sofia's municipal heating utility that he headed, was found to be on the verge of bankruptcy.

He was repeatedly denied bail by the Sofia district and appellate courts, which ruled he could influence court proceedings or escape the country if left free.

The case prosecutor said on Tuesday that formal charges will be pressed in the near future.

In the meantime, workers at Toplofikatsiya have demanded higher wages, threatening to go on strike. However, they do not plan to cut the heating and hot water supply.

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