A top government minister in Bulgaria has been detained over a water crisis in the country forcing him to quit public office, Reuters has reported.
Environment Minister Neno Dimov spent the night in police cells after being arrested.
Law enforcement authorities have been investigating a water crisis that has been plaguing the town of Pernik that has a population of 70,000 people.
Dimov has been blamed for the water crisis that was touched off by severe restrictions ordered by the Environment ministry.
The Prime Minister of Bulgaria Boyko Borissov accepted the resignation of the top government minister, local media outlets reported.
Chief Prosecutor Ivan Geshev office confirmed that investigation into the water crisis were ongoing and that the minister would be charged in a court of law.
"Evidence is being collected of crimes committed by officials that led to water supply problems in Pernik," the office said in a statement as quoted by Aljazeera.
Aljazeera reported that Neno Dimov faces up to 8 years in jail for causing the water crisis.
The opposition Socialist Party has stated its intention to introduce a no-confidence motion against the government of Bulgaria over the biting water crisis.
The government enjoys a majority and the motion of no-confidence is likely to fail.