EC Notes Romania’s Progress In Investigating High Level Corruption

"During the last six months, DNA maintained its convincing track record in investigating high level corruption. During this period an increase in the number of non-final convictions and dissuasive sentences could be observed and an independent impact evaluation of the last two anti-corruption strategies was launched. However, important high-level corruption cases have seen little movement in court since the Commission's last assessment," reads the report released Friday.

According to the EC, the number of conviction decisions, as well as prison sentences, increased in the first three quarters of 2010.

"This may indicate a trend towards more dissuasive sentences if confirmed over a longer period of time," reads the document.

The report notes that the High Court of Justice engaged more actively in promoting the unification of jurisprudence in this area.

"However, an initiative by a number of judges from Bucharest Court of Appeal which published detailed sentencing guidelines including for corruption cases has not yet been followed up by the High Court of Cassation and Justice," said the EC.

The Commission said that a comprehensive analysis of the specific delays of high-level corruption cases still remains to be made.

"A number of institutions including the High Court, the Judicial Inspection, the DNA and the Ministry of Justice have to varying extents reflected on the issue. These initiatives provide a useful basis for reflection on future solutions," reads the report.

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