Romanian Pres Says 25% Of Magistrates Are Ex Securitate Members

Attending the activity report of the Cluj city Court of Appeal, Barbulescu said she is surprised by Basescu’s statements and that the head of state should have taken better care when calculating the percentage.

"I thought that this statement was never made. It brings unusual damage to the image of judges and prosecutors. With respect for CNSAS investigations unfolded between 2006 and 2007, 3,512 judges and prosecutors were checked, and for 118 of them, there were suspicions, and only 25 of them were seen as Securitate collaborators. An engineer like the president is should have done a better job at calculating the percentage. These checks were requested by the High Council of the Magistrates ever since 2001. Starting with 2004 we have requested investigations of those who have access to leadership positions. All members of the Council were checked and CNSAS decided that none of them conducted political police activities," Barbulescu said.

Romanian president Traian Basescu received the visit of anticommunist hero Vasile Paraschiv.  In the beginning of the meeting, Basescu said that 25% of magistrates belonged to the former Securitate.