Bratusek last year put her own name forward to be the country's next European Commissioner. At the time she had already tendered her resignation as premier and was due to step down.

Her candidature was rejected by the European Parliament.

Bratusek, now an opposition lawmaker, has denied any wrongdoing.

"The objective of the activities is gathering information and evidence regarding alleged abuse of an official position.... No suspect has been detained," a police statement said.

Another former prime minister in the small eurozone country and former Yugoslav republic, Janez Jansa, was jailed in June for corruption but freed in December pending an appeal. (*****)

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