“The state is powerless in front of the judicial system,” said Bulgarian Minister of Interior Tsvetan Tsvetanov Wednesday.

Speaking for the Focus information agency, he expressed outrage at news that the Court of Appeals released on bail the three alleged wrongdoers arrested in the special police operation codenamed “All Trumps.”

“What happened is irresponsible and insulting for all who are striving to do fair business in Bulgaria, as well as for all Bulgarians who honestly pay their taxes,” said Tsvetanov.

The three persons – Venko Krastev, Magdalena Krasteva and Marieta Kitova – are charged with large-scale tax evasion and money laundering, and were bailed on a total of BGN 16 000.

According to minister Tsvetanov's earlier statements the trio has caused losses of BGN 250 M to the state.

The interior minister further commented that the decision of the Court of Appeals will interfere with proper investigation of the case. He expressed dismay at the determination of the court that evidence is not conclusively strong enough to hold the accused under arrest.

Tsvetanov's comments come in the wake of a long trail of negative statements on his part regarding the work of the judicial system, which has provoked talk of a conflict between Bulgaria's police and judiciary.