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Laura Codruta Kovesi: the removal proposal didn't meet the requirements provided by law
Outgoing chief anti-graft prosecutor Laura Codruta Kovesi said on Monday that the "brutal way" in which changes are forced in Romania's criminal laws shows that at present the political will is not for an efficient Justice but for stymieing investigations.
"Today's episode is not a defeat. The brutal way in which changes are forced in criminal laws shows they [the change makers] want protection for their past, their present and their future. After six years at the helm of the Attorney General's Office and five years, one month and 24 days in the position of National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) chief prosecutor I am telling you: nothing can be balanced against the continuation of this fight, because this fight is one way of defending society against dangerous criminals. The judiciary is going through a difficult time. We all know that because we have seen what is left of the criminal legislation. We have all seen the form of the Criminal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure adopted in Parliament, we have made observations ourselves and so did the Supreme High Court of Justice and the Supreme Council of Magistrates (CSM), and, most importantly, so has the Attorney General's Office. It is sensible to note that the political will in this moment is not for an effective justice, it is for stymieing investigations and justice," Kovesi told a news conference after President Klaus Iohannis signed a decree removing her from the office of chief prosecutor of the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA).
În this context, Kovesi said that at this point in time the political will is not for an independent justice, but for stymieing investigations. "It is common sense to note that the political will at this moment is not for an independent, efficient justice, but for stymieing investigations and justice," Kovesi said at a news conference.
She also mentioned the legislation guaranteeing the independence of prosecutors. "We, the prosecutors, cannot fight a political fight, because the law forbids us to, but our plea is for stable legislation, our plea is for a legislation where prosecutors are independent. Prosecutors' independence is an incorruptible value," said Kovesi.
În her opinion, the Justice Minister's proposal to remove her from the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) chief prosecutor office didn't meet the requirements provided by law. "May I remind you that the removal proposal didn't meet the requirements provided by law. The Superior Council of Magistrates (CSM) issued a negative opinion. I have proved to the CSM Prosecutors' Section that the arguments invoked by the Justice Minister in the proposal, part of them lack reality, part of them are ungrounded," Kovesi said.
She stated on Monday that the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA), which she led for five years, managed to prove that Romania's institutions are efficient. "We managed to prove that Romania's public institutions are efficient, the work done is legal, but, above all, yes, corruption can be defeated," Kovesi stated at the DNA headquarters.
She also mentioned the legislation guaranteeing the independence of prosecutors. "We, the prosecutors, cannot fight a political fight, because the law forbids us to, but our plea is for stable legislation, our plea is for a legislation where prosecutors are independent. Prosecutors' independence is an incorruptible value," said Kovesi.
She said that she would no longer work in this institution, but will remain a prosecutor. "Starting today, I will no longer work in the DNA, I will remain a prosecutor," Kovesi told a press conference.