Former Interior Minister, Journalist Subpoenaed in Kovesi Case

Kovesi is accused of requesting fugitive businessman Sebastian Ghita to pay for the 2011 repatriation of another fugitive businessman, Nicolae Popa, from Indonesia.

The former minister confirmed that he was interviewed by SIIJ prosecutors in relation to the case, but did not provide any further details. He added that he was a friend of Sebastian Ghita and that Romania needs a “powerful justice system, but not abuses”.

Also on Thursday, journalist Ion Cristoiu said that he was called to attest whether a photo of the businessman and Kovesi, which the former filed as evidence, was the same with one he was infamously shown by Ghita in a televised talk show, but refused to make public.

Sebastian Ghita, who received political asylum in Serbia, stated multiple times that he and the prosecutor had a close non-work related relationship. The former DNA chief denied the ties and said that any materials showing the two in the same place were taken at protocol meetings, during the time she served as the country’s general prosecutor.

The prosecutor is currently running for chief prosecutor for the upcoming European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), and accused that SIIJ’s actions are an attempt to derail her bid.