BBC: Romania finally starts to get serious with organised crime
Romania is finally starting to get serious about organized crime, eight years after joining the European Union and 13 years after setting up the country’s National Anticorruption Directorate DNA, writes BBC News.
In an article that focuses on DNA’s actions, which target some of the big names in the country, BBC reports that Romania has also won some praise from the European Commission.
"Romania is on the right course and needs to stick to it," Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans said in January, commenting on the latest EU report on Romania's battle with corruption.
However, tackling corruption remains the country’s biggest challenge and its main priority.
In 2014, 1,138 leading public figures, including top politicians, businessmen, judges and prosecutors, were convicted by the DNA, led by prosecutor Laura Codruta Kovesi – which means a rate of more than four a day, excluding holidays, reports BBC.
According to Romanian analyst Alina Mungiu-Pippidi, the "trans-party mafia" that used to run the country, hand out procurement deals involving huge sums of EU money, dodge tax and buy off prosecutors and judges is in disarray.
The character of Romania’s new President Klaus Iohannis has also made a difference. He is not a signatory of the secret deals between the main parties that have plagued Romanian politics for 25 years.
Some of DNA’s latest targets were former minister Elena Udrea and Prime Minister’s brother in law.
Former Romanian minister Elena Udrea, released from jail into home arrest.
Romanian PM’s brother-in-law arrested in EU funds embezzlement case.
Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com
