Slovenia: Minister resigns over corruption probe

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia

Slovenia's Agriculture Minister has resigned after having his house searched and being questioned by police on suspicion of corruption.

Minister Milan Pogacnik told reporters Wednesday he decided to step down due to "all the pressure" of the investigation, but insists that "all the accusations are false."

Pogacnik, a member of the ruling party, two lawmakers, a mayor and a manager were interrogated Tuesday in what police said was a white collar-crime and corruption investigation.

Police haven't given details of the investigation, but local media said the group was suspected of plotting to illegally rezone agricultural land to a construction area.

It's the first corruption case against a minister in recent years in Slovenia, an EU member.