Todor Pavlov, the main witness in the trial against former Bulgarian Social Policy and Labor Minister, Emiliya Maslarova, withdrew his testimony Monday.

Before the magistrates from the Sofia City Court, Pavlov, who has been placed under the protection of the Prosecutor's Office for three months, denied almost everything he previously told a judge. He stated Monday, he never said he had been bringing Maslarova envelopes stashed with money, sent to her by another defendant in the case, Ventsislav Dragaranov.

The witness further said he never signed the protocol from his interrogation, and was never even given the said protocol to read it. Pavlov admitted he had been beaten by two unknown individuals and had some fears related to Draganov over money disagreements, but denied receiving any direct threats from the latter.

Maslarova, herself, stated she had in her possession the final rule of the Supreme Administrative Court that the Public Procurement Act had not been violated regarding renovations at the social home in Stara Zagora.

The trial against Maslarova at the Sofia City Court began on April 21. The former Minister is charged with large-scale embezzlement of over BGN 11 M from repairs in a social home in the city of Stara Zagora.

According to the prosecution, a probe had shown that the Ministry of Social Policy and Labor, under the leadership of Maslarova, had slated BGN 19 M for renovations at the home. Only BGN 8 M have been used for construction and repairs, while the remaining BNG 11 M were embezzled through fake invoices.

Other defendants in the case are Maslarova's Deputy, Dimitar Dimitrov, her Chief Secretary, Ivan Penev, and a Draganov, a family friend along with Mihail Metodiev and Rosen Stefanov, who allegedly misled employees of the Social Ministry

Draganov's defense attorney told the media Monday the trial was another political farce entering the court system.