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Romanian lawmakers approve bill that could close graft cases
Source: Reuters
WORLD NEWS APRIL 24, 2019 / 8:15 AM / UPDATED 34 MINUTES AGO
Romanian lawmakers approve bill that could close graft cases
BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romania’s lower house of parliament approved changes to the criminal codes on Wednesday that could shut down several ongoing high-level graft cases, but opposition politicians plan to challenge the bills at the Constitutional Court.
The bills are the latest in a series of legal and personnel changes made by the ruling Social Democrats since they came to power in 2017 that are seen as threats to judicial independence and have raised concerns in the European Union, the U.S. State Department and among thousands of Romanian magistrates.
One of the changes approved on Wednesday shortens the statute of limitations covering some offences, a move that would automatically shut down a number of ongoing cases. Other amendments include lower sentences for some offences and decriminalizing negligence in the workplace.
“Romania today becomes a state in which criminals are basically in a legal haven, encouraged ... by changes that overall ease and simplify the impact of the law on criminals,” opposition Save Romania Union leader Dan Barna told reporters.
-snip-
Romanian lawmakers approve bill that could close graft cases
BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romania’s lower house of parliament approved changes to the criminal codes on Wednesday that could shut down several ongoing high-level graft cases, but opposition politicians plan to challenge the bills at the Constitutional Court.
The bills are the latest in a series of legal and personnel changes made by the ruling Social Democrats since they came to power in 2017 that are seen as threats to judicial independence and have raised concerns in the European Union, the U.S. State Department and among thousands of Romanian magistrates.
One of the changes approved on Wednesday shortens the statute of limitations covering some offences, a move that would automatically shut down a number of ongoing cases. Other amendments include lower sentences for some offences and decriminalizing negligence in the workplace.
“Romania today becomes a state in which criminals are basically in a legal haven, encouraged ... by changes that overall ease and simplify the impact of the law on criminals,” opposition Save Romania Union leader Dan Barna told reporters.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-romania-justice-law/romanian-lawmakers-approve-bill-that-could-close-graft-cases-idUSKCN1S01JD
