"The National Anticorruption Department has 4804 corruption cases ongoing"
Translated by Cosmin GhidoveanuEnglish Section / 29 octombrie 2018
(Interview with General Prosecutor Augustin Lazăr)
General Prosecutor Augustin Lazăr was the center of attention around the middle of last week, when Justice minister Tudorel Toader started the procedure for the revocation of the head of the Public Prosecutor, following the evaluation he has decided at the end of August. The activity of Augustin Lazăr as part of the Public Ministry has made the minister of justice unhappy, through his statements about the stability of criminal legislation and his claims of supporting the rule of law, the defense of the judges' and prosecutors' independence. The Public Prosecutor manages the activity of all the prosecutors' offices in Romania. It is facing numerous problems and over the last few years some of its members claim it has been constantly subjected to increased pressure from politicians and dignitaries under criminal investigation.
Upon the request of BURSA, the general prosecutor Augustin Lazăr has answered some questions through the Office for Communication with the Press of the Public Prosecutor.
Reporter: How many cases of major corruption are on the docket of the prosecutors office you are in charge of? With the mention that when we're talking about major corruption, we mean the criminal cases which involve suspects or indictees that are MPs, ministers and other Romanian state officials.
Augustin Lazăr: In Semester I of 2018, from the National Anticorruption Department there were 4804 cases ongoing concerning crimes stipulated by the law No. 78/2000 for the prevention, discovery and sanctioning the deeds of corruption.