Ascultă Radio România Actualitaţi Live

Two major corruption cases make headlines in Romania

The National Anti-corruption Directorate continues investigations into two major cases the Microsoft case and a recently unveiled forestland scheme.

Two major corruption cases make headlines in Romania
The National Anticorruption Directorate carries out investigations into the Microsoft case and the illegal return of forestland. Photo: rri.ro

Articol de Radio România Internaţional, 18 Octombrie 2014, 09:19

Investigations into the Microsoft case, the most resounding corruption scandal in Romania in the last 25 years have entered a new phase.

The case refers to the purchase of IT licenses for Romanian schools.

According to prosecutors, a number of former ministers with several different governments unlawfully signed and extended contracts at prices increased artificially.

The National Anti-Corruption Directorate started the prosecution of nine former officials, namely the senators Serban Mihailescu and Ecaterina Andronescu, the deputy Valerian Vreme, the European Parliament member Dan Nica as well as Daniel Funeriu, Alexandru Athanasiu, Mihai Tanasescu, Gabriel Sandu and Adriana Ticau.

The former chief of Romania’s Foreign Intelligence Service, Catalin Harnagea, the former communication minister Gabriel Sandu, the former presidential advisor Dorin Marian and the former tennis player Dinu Pescariu are also suspected of involvement in the case.

President Traian Basescu has recently said that more surprises and new suspects will surface in relation to the Microsoft scandal.
President Basescu has dismissed rumours that the FBI provided documents in this case.

Another major case making headlines these days has to do with the illegal return of forestland and involves judges, parliament members and businessmen.

Damages to the Romsilva National Forestry Authority are estimated at over 300 million euros.

Among the suspects are the Social Democrat MPs Ioan Adam, Viorel Hrebenciuc and Ilie Sarbu, as well as the illegitimate son of King Carol II of Romania, Prince Paul and his wife.

Prosecutors say that in April 2012, at Ioan Adam’s request, judges with the Covasna Tribunal illegally ruled for the return of a large area of forest and farm land in the eastern county of Bacau, worth 300 million euros.

Later, Ioan Adam and several other people, including Viorel Hrebenciuc, are believed to have set up a group with the purpose of making money through a speedy procurement of land title deeds, followed by a quick sale of the land.

In another development, the Romanian Parliament is debating a draft law making it easier for deputies and senators to lose their immunity and preventing delays in investigations.

Some of the new provisions of the bill include shorter trial dates, limitations to Parliament’s responsibilities as far as the assessment of evidence is concerned, and the introduction of open public vote in Parliament and the Parliament’s Legal Committee.

Parliament's weekly agenda
News in English 31 Martie 2025, 15:34

Parliament's weekly agenda

The legislative proposal on tougher penalties for drivers who get behind the wheel after taking drugs will go before senators...

Parliament's weekly agenda
INFOMama app, health information and services for pregnant women and mothers
News in English 31 Martie 2025, 15:33

INFOMama app, health information and services for pregnant women and mothers

The organization "Save the Children" Romania launches on Tuesday, at the Senate, the mobile application INFOMama,...

INFOMama app, health information and services for pregnant women and mothers
Opening ceremony of the multinational exercise "Sea Shield" in Constanta
News in English 31 Martie 2025, 15:33

Opening ceremony of the multinational exercise "Sea Shield" in Constanta

"Sea Shield 25" includes combat sequences that will test the coordination and response capabilities of the...

Opening ceremony of the multinational exercise "Sea Shield" in Constanta
Ilie Bolojan: Thanks to the NATO shield, Romania has become a safe place
News in English 31 Martie 2025, 04:01

Ilie Bolojan: Thanks to the NATO shield, Romania has become a safe place

Romania will continue to contribute to the promotion of global security and democratic values, interim President Ilie Bolojan...

Ilie Bolojan: Thanks to the NATO shield, Romania has become a safe place
The electoral period for by-elections has started in 19 municipalities
News in English 31 Martie 2025, 03:59

The electoral period for by-elections has started in 19 municipalities

The electoral period for the by-elections that will be organized in 19 localities in 14 counties of the country on May 4, on...

The electoral period for by-elections has started in 19 municipalities
Land and property owners will be able to get their registry extracts online for free
News in English 31 Martie 2025, 03:58

Land and property owners will be able to get their registry extracts online for free

Owners of land and real estate will be able to get their land register extracts free of charge at the land registry counter...

Land and property owners will be able to get their registry extracts online for free
Internship at the Romanian Government
News in English 29 Martie 2025, 20:52

Internship at the Romanian Government

Young people interested in how public administration works can apply for a new edition of the internship program at the...

Internship at the Romanian Government
If the current majority coalition remains on the defensive, it will make a serious mistake, says Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu
News in English 29 Martie 2025, 20:51

If the current majority coalition remains on the defensive, it will make a serious mistake, says Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu

If the current majority coalition will remain on the defensive, it will make a serious mistake, says Prime Minister Marcel...

If the current majority coalition remains on the defensive, it will make a serious mistake, says Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu