UPDATE: The Senate rejected Voicu's request to recast the vote in his case

Romania’s Higher Court of Justice will judge today, starting 11 am, the request of the anti-graft prosecutors to arrest Senator Catalin Voicu for 29 days. On Friday, anti-graft prosecutors submitted a request to the court for a temporary arrest on Voicu’s name. The request follows the decision of the Senate to approve the investigation against Senator Voicu.

Catalin Voicu requested this week to be heard in the Parliament this week on grounds that the decision of the Parliament is null.

Voicu claims that the Parliament did not respect one mandatory condition, namely to hear his declarations before a decision was submitted to vote. He now urges the Parliament to respect his fundamental and constitutional right.

The Senator said that he was unable to attend the meeting as he was hospitalized. In such conditions, Voicu wants to be heard in the Parliament. Senate’s speaker Mircea Geoana declared that his request will be considered on Tuesday by the Permanent Office to decide whether he is right or not – in the same day when the court is due to decide on the request of preventive arrest on his name.

UPDATE 1 (11:40AM) Catalin Voicu arrived at the Higher Court of Justice at 11:25 AM and refused to comment. To avoid journalists, he used the back door of the building.

UPDATE 2 (12:35 PM) The meeting was suspended for 25 minutes. Magistrates left the room leaving Voicu, his lawyers and anti graft prosecutor in the room.

UPDATE 3 (12:45 PM) The Senate’s Permanent Office decided on Tuesday to reject Voicu’s request to be heard in the Parliament and recast the vote of the Senate in his case.