Economy and Energy Minister Roumen Ovcharov has asked Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev for 10 days’ unpaid leave starting May 10 2007.

In his application, Ovcharov said that he might prolong his leave, a Cabinet media statement said.

Bulgarian media reported that at the beginning of May Stanishev forced Ovcharov to go on leave because his name was involved in a corruption scandal. Nevertheless, Ovcharov accompanied Stanishev on a working visit to Russia from May 6 to May 8 2007.

National Investigative Service director Angel Alexandrov alleged that Ovcharov had threatened him.

At the same time, Bulgartabac Holding director Hristo Lachev alleged that Alexandrov had solicited a bribe. According to Lachev, Alexandrov also allegedly blackmailed Deputy Economy and Energy Minister Kornelia Ninova.

The Sofia Prosecution office has started an investigation into Ninova in connection with allegations that she tried to hinder an investigation into another major corruption scandal involving financial drainage of the Sofia heating company.