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DNA: Amendments to the justice laws to seriously affect the prosecutors’ independence
The National Anti-corruption Directorate (DNA) on Thursday retorted to the justice law draft announced by the Justice minister, saying they are seriously affecting the prosecutor’s independence, romaniajournal.ro informs.
DNA says it hasn’t been informed about the written draft either previously or after the press conference held by Justice minister Tudorel Toader on Wednesday, “in order to review and express a grounded point of view on the amendments”. “Although the Justice minister stated the drafts would be sent to CSM for Ok, DNA hasn’t been consulted in any way, either regarding their necessity or regarding the impact they might have on the anti-corruption prosecutors’ activity,” reads a DNA press release.
Yet, the anti-corruption body led by Laura Codruta Kovesi commented the amendments announced by minister Toader.
“The transfer of the Judicial Inspection under the Justice minister’s authority, who is politically appointed, is to seriously affect the prosecutors’ independence in relation to the political factor,” DNA argues.
As for setting up a new specialized directorate to investigate magistrates would restraint DNA’ authority area, meaning the DNA prosecutors will not be able to investigate anymore the corruption crimes committed by magistrates.
DNA says that statistics on the final convictions show that the corruption deeds committed by magistrates are no particular phenomenon comparing to other categories.
During 2005-August 2-17, 88 magistrates (44 prosecutors, 43 judges and an assistant magistrate) have been sentenced for bribe taking or influence peddling, as against 575 police officers and agents, 121 customs officers, 106 mayors.
The anti-corruption directorate also states that increasing the seniority from 6 to 8 years for a prosecutor to be able to get a job at DNA, “will make the rate of job occupancy at DNA more difficult”.
Following the amendments brought to the justice laws, DNA decided to summon the General Assembly on August 31, so that anti-corruption prosecutors could voice their opinions on this matter.