Romania's Anti-graft body DNA calls on magistrates council to defend independence of prosecutors in face of minister's political interference

The head of Romania’s National Anti-corruption Department (DNA) Laura Codruta Kovesi on Tuesday called on the Supreme Council of Magistrates (CSM) to see whether a series of statements made by Justice minister Tudorel Toader were affecting the independence of the judiciary.

The minister had said that not prosecutors were the ones to check on the legality of a government decision, but judges. He made the statement as the activity of the government has come under DNA scrutiny in a new corruption case related to the transfer of an island in south Romania from the property of the state to that of local entities close to Liviu Dragnea, the leader of the governing Social Democrats.

DNA said in its appeal to CSM that minister Toader’s statements related to an ongoing investigation was a form of meddling with prosecutors’activity. That is why the DNA has called on the CSM to analyze whether the statements may affect the independence of the judiciary as they induce the idea that the activity of the prosecutors does not stay within legal boundaries.

Minister Toader made the statements as in the so-called „Belina” corruption case the DNA claims that the government has adopted to decisions which are in breach of several laws of the country, including the Constitution.