site.btaUPDATED Interior Ministry Secretary General Kotsev Resigns

Interior Ministry Secretary General, Chief Commissioner Zhivko Kotsev, has tendered his resignation, the Interior Ministry reported here on Thursday.

The Council of Ministers is to approve Kotsev’s resignation and then the President is to issue a decree dismissing him from his position.

Zhivko Kotsev was born on October 9, 1971 in Sofia. He holds a bachelor's degree in Crime Prevention and Public Order Protection from the Academy of the Interior Ministry, as well as a master's degree in Law from the St Cyril and St Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo. His career in the Interior Ministry began in 1991. Kotsev has 11 years of professional experience in management positions in the Interior Ministry.

Answering questions on current topics from journalists and citizens on Facebook on Thursday morning, outgoing Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov said that outgoing Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov has been exerting serious pressure on Kotsev for some time now. Denkov said that Kotsev has been telling him for the past month or two that he has hesitations about remaining in office as Interior Ministry Secretary General because he is not doing his job well under such pressure. Denkov said the pressure against Kotsev was aimed at getting him to resign.

Asked if he sees a connection between the operation of the State Agency for National Security in the Customs Agency, the arrest of Customs Agency Director Petya Bankova, and the resignation of the Interior Ministry Secretary General, the outgoing PM said he could not say whether they were related.

It is really difficult when people in an institution cannot work in a team, Denkov noted.

"I have not spoken to [Interior] Minister Kalin Stoyanov for a long time, he has distanced himself, he does not even attend the Council of Ministers’ recent meetings. I also do not have much trust [in him] after several things that happened. He has gone his own way, we will see where he will go", Denkov added.

Later on Thursday, speaking to reporters in Parliament, Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov denied any pressure had been put on Kotsev. "Yesterday [Wednesday], the Secretary General resigned at his own request and for personal reasons. There was absolutely no pressure," Stoyanov argued.

Later in the day, Kotsev said in a position published on the website of the Interior Ministry: "I turn to you with all due respect and to prevent unnecessary speculation and suggestions against me and the Interior Ministry. I have taken stock of my achievements, successes and adversities. I decided that I have invested enough strength and energy in the work in the service of society," Kotsev said.

For me, the rule of law, respect for order and rules are a cause that every law enforcement officer should recognize. My professional record so far has been entirely related to the Interior Ministry. In this sense, my decision is difficult. At the same time, it is easy because it rests entirely on my inner conviction. I will continue my in another area of public life," he said.

"To the thousands of worthy police officers, firefighters and rescue workers, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for our many years of work together."