Bulgarian prosecutors on Wednesday charged former Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev with mishandling seven classified reports, including one from NATO, between 2005 and 2009.

Stanishev, who headed the previous Socialist-led government and is leader of the main opposition Socialist party, is the first ex-premier in the Balkan country investigated over wrongdoings since the collapse of communism 20 years ago.

If found guilty, Stanishev faces up to two years in prison, but prosecutors said in a statement that he could only be fined.

Reuters