Ministers, deputy ministers, regional authorities and mayors were among the officials facing corruption investigation in Bulgaria, Deputy Interior Minister Kamen Penkov said.

The work of 20 high-level officials was already investigated, Dnevnik newspaper reported.

Eleven MPs lost their political immunity so that court action could be launched. Nine immunities were taken down in 2006 only, Penkov said.

During the Cabinet's first year in office the Interior Ministry investigated and found the guilty party in 1191 crimes related to corruption schemes at state and regional administrative level, Dnevnik reported.

In 68 instances officials were offered a bribe. Since the beginning of 2006, 30 members of organised criminal groups were sentenced on charges of participation in corruption schemes.

Six prosecutors came under investigation in the past two months, Dnevnik reported. Penkov said that 27 Interior Ministry employees were dismissed.