SETimes Published on SETimes (http://www.setimes.com) <http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features /2007/04/09/feature-03> http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/ 2007/04/09/feature-03
Corruption down in Romania, but still an issue 09/04/2007 The 2006 anti-corruption report on Romania shows increased and sustained activity on the part of authorities. But a higher number of defendants proves graft is still a reality. By Paul Ciocoiu for Southeast European Times in Bucharest -- 09/04/07 Fighting corruption has been one of the top priorities of Romanian authorities, especially since graft was one of the main sectors in which EU monitored Romania closely before its January 1st, 2007, accession. However, this social scourge is far from being eradicated, a report released by the National Anti-corruption Department (DNA) shows. "We can now see the struggle of the wretched system in its entire splendor," said President Traian Basescu, who attended the official release of the report. He called on prosecutors to make themselves immune to "media pressures" and to break the criminal relationships between politicians and businessmen. "Your mission is to go to the very end, to the political factor that enables the protection of the high-profile crimes and that costs the Romanian citizen everyday," he added. Last year was crucial for the implementation of the national anti-corruption reform -- in 2005, the EU imposed a special safeguard clause on Romania that permitted accession to be delayed a year if requirements in this field were not met. According to the report, DNA prosecutors solved more than 1,000 files out of a total of 2,600 in 2006. Out of the 1,092 solved cases, 127 were sent to trial, representing 929 crimes. Of the 360 defendants indicted, 149 had important, leading or control positions. "The whole damage inflicted amounts to more than 50m euros," said DNA chief prosecutor Daniel Morar. Seven MPs, one minister, two state secretaries, two counsel presidents, one DNA chief-prosecutor prefect and two mayors were investigated and indicted in 2006. In most of these cases, the acts of corruption were linked to the prerogatives of the suspects' positions. In 2006, DNA also charged five magistrates, four judges and a prosecutor. The number of customs officers indicted by the DNA last year increased eight times compared to 2005 -- 24 compared to 3, said Morar. As for police officers, 54 were investigated last year compared to 24 in 2005. Morar explained that a network of 20 police workers involved in illegal activities had been uncovered. Some of the officers were charged after obstructing justice during investigations by giving bribes or trafficking influence. The chief-prosecutor stressed that such corruption cases can no longer be viewed as isolated incidents. Their frequency explains the high Corruption Perception Index in Romania, as defendants are part of the professional segments that the public interacts with daily. (C) SETimes ---------------------------- Vali "Noble blood is an accident of fortune; noble actions are the chief mark of greatness." (Carlo Goldoni) "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." (Jimi Hendrix)