“I have never been the object of an investigation under the name Zapalkata (the Cigarette lighter)," Interior Minister Roumen Petkov told reporters at the opening of a session of the South East Europe Police Chief Association in Sofia on March 27 2008.

“I have never said no to the use of special intelligence methods on anyone in order to avoid accusations that I have obstructed the work of the special police services,” Petkov said.

He was referring to an incident on March 26 2008 after Parliament's committee on internal order and public security held a session. The committee listened to Vanyo Tanov, former head of  the Interior Ministry's chief directorate for combating organised crime (CDCOC), who said that Petkov's name appeared in the course of an CDCOC investigation under the name of Zapalkata.

According to opposition MP's attending the hearing, Tanov said CDCOC was investigating drug trafficking and intercepted a phone call. This was when the conversation referred to Petkov as Zapalkata. According to opposition's MPs, this information was confirmed by the newly formed State Agency for National Security.

“I am known for keeping three to four cigarette lighters in my pocket. So the fact that two people referred to me as 'the one with the cigarette lighter' does not mean anything,” Petkov said.