Romanian Prosecutors Have Not Received EP Notification Lifting MEP Adrian Severin’s Immunity

According to the anticorruption department, the EP has not informed Romania if it allows authorities to search Severin’s office and computer data belonging to the European legislature, or if evidence has been preserved.

Following the EP decision to lift Severin’s immunity, the DNA chief prosecutor asked the president of the European Parliament on July 4 to inform Romanian authorities if the EP office used by Severin has been sealed off so evidence needed to solve the case is preserved, reads the press release.

The anticorruption department asked the EP to authorize access to the MEP’s office and to the institution’s information system.

On June 23, the EP adopted a report of the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) on lifting Severin’s immunity. The report, drawn up by MEP Francesco Speroni, was adopted with a majority of votes.

On March 21, the Romanian National Anticorruption Department (DNA) began investigating Severin, after local and international media reported on his alleged involvement in a corruption case. Severin was prepared to support the adoption of several amendments in exchange for EUR100,000 offered by journalists from British paper The Sunday Times.