Feb.03, 2010, 20:19, Source: Xinhua

Former Premier Mikulas Dzurinda has pulled out of the June 12 general election against Prime Minister Robert Fico over allegations of money laundering.

"The key reason for me (not to run) was a monstrous game by Robert Fico," Dzyrinda said Tuesday.

The former prime minister's announcement came after Fico alleged that Dzurinda's government sold a hotel known as the Crown Plaza to Diamond Hotels Slovakia for 450 million koruna (about 20 millions U.S. dollars).

The state treasury, Fico alleged received only 300 millions koruna (13.3 million dollars) and the new owner failed to pay a debt of as much as 105 million koruna (about 4.7 million dollars).

Fico in addition alleged that James Calderbank, a responsible of the Diamond Hotels, also serves as a director of Destor Investments, a company owned by Igor Kucej, the treasurer for Dzurinda's SDKU party.

After the accusations were made public, Dzurinda declared he was quitting the race "to spare his party from unjustified attacks."

Fico called Dzurinda's announcement a "sheer theatrical gesture."