PD-L asks the president to suspend the interim justice minister

The leaders of the Liberal-Democrat Party (PD-L) asked President Traian Basescu to launch a criminal investigation against the country's interim justice minister and to suspend him, alleging he is guilty of abuse of authority in a case concerning the investigation of eight ministers.

The requirement was made within a press conference by the Liberal-Democrat Party (PDL) executive secretary Elena Udrea. Only Romania's General Prosecutor's Office and the National Anticorruption Department can legally make such a request. Basescu is expected to make a statement this afternoon, when returning from a visit he made in Georgia. The alleged crime Melescanu committed refers to a case concerning eight ministers for whom the president approved to be criminally investigated.

PD-L leader Emil Boc accused Melescanu of inventing illegal and unconstitutional procedures with the sole purpose to postpone the verdict the justice must give on the eight investigated ministers.
Boc said the justice minister plays no role in the procedure for launching a criminal investigation against a member of the government. The only authorities which can ask such a thing are the Senate, the Deputies' Chamber and the president, according to Boc.

President Traian Basescu warned interim Justice Minister Teodor Melescanu he is about to commit an abuse of authority, in the case concerning the investigation of eight ministers; the president noted the Cabinet is committing mistakes as it tries to protect the investigated ministers.

The president noted the Cabinet's deeds show the connections existing between it and the Social Democrat Party, Romania's largest opposition party, in protecting the eight investigated ministers.

Basescu accused the government of applying the law only when it comes to simple citizens and of making exemptions when it comes to political figures. The president gave as example old people who are incarcerated while ministers avoid even giving explanations to magistrates.


Source: NewsIn