EC Report: Many Romanian High-Level Corruption Cases Near Statute of Limitations

"Although the majority of high-level corruption trials are decided within a period of three years, a significant number of important cases involving dignitaries are currently pending before courts for more than three years. A number of these cases have already reached the statute - barred period in full or in part and several other cases approach these deadlines," reads the report, which will be published Wednesday in Brussels.

The EC notes that, since its latest annual assessment, "Romania identified typical causes of delays in high-level corruption cases and created a joint working group to address them."

According to the report, Romania has eliminated some important procedural obstacles since July 2010.

"Other reasons relating namely to capacity, internal organization and judicial practice must still be effectively addressed. Furthermore, the analysis by the Commission showed that courts tend to adopt a permissive and excessively cautious approach to procedural challenges raised by defendants, such as requests for additional expertise, postponement of hearings or procedural exceptions," says the EC, adding that "basic case management measures such as giving priority to important or complex cases are not routinely applied."

Romania must take urgent measures to speed up final decisions in important high-level corruption cases.

The EC notes that results in the fight against corruption depend on political will and the commitment of the judiciary.

"There are several good examples that show an efficient treatment of high-level corruption cases in court and demonstrate how investigations in complex cases can be carried out effectively in the cooperation of different authorities," reads the report.

The EC also notes that, since the Commission's latest assessment, the Parliament voted against allowing an investigation against a former Minister and current MP, vetoed a search in another ongoing investigation and refused the preventive arrest of another MP.

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