"For all income I have received since 2001, when I returned to Bulgaria, I have paid the required taxes," chief executive of tobacco company Bulgartabac Hristo Lachev was quoted by Focus news agency as saying on March  20.

Earlier in the day, the Sofia Prosecutor's Office pressed tax evasion charges against Lachev over alleged failure to pay 128 000 leva in taxes.

As The Sofia Echo reported, the prosecutors launched two pre-trial investigations on suspicion of large-scale abuse in office and tax evasion, respectively.

Lachev said he was cooperating in the investigation and expressed his hope that the cases would soon end. "I have faith in the outcome of the cases," Lachev told Focus news agency.

Lachev is on leave as of March 20, following the launch of the investigations. "I do this to ensure a normal working environment at Bulgartabac. I do not want the investigations to influence the image of the company," Lachev said.