Romanian parliament votes to lift former minister's immunity

On Wednesday, the parliament of Romania lifted the immunity of an ex-minister so he can be investigated on suspicion which cites that he abused his authority. The former minister allegedly used an official motorcade five times a day which the government says he is not entitled to.

ABC News reported that Romanian senators voted 102-30 to lift the immunity of Sen. Gabriel Oprea. Senator Oprea was a former interior minister and his immunity was lifted because the parliament wanted to inquire about a criminal activity. Prosecutors who handle the anti-corruption departed said that Sen. Oprea used a motorcade 1,607 times from Jan 2 up to Oct. 21, 2015. This is three times as often as Romania's president used the privilege.

It is stated in the Romania's law that only the president, Romania's two Parliament speakers, and the prime minister benefits from the use of motorcade in which police-escorts follow. Although there are some instances that some senior officials are allowed to use motorcades.

Senator Oprea had called on colleagues to vote in favor of the request by anti-corruption prosecutors. Gulf News Europe said the Oprea requested to allow him to prove his innocence before the law.

In November, Oprea was a deputy premier under Social Democrat leader Victor Ponta, who was forced to exit from the office of prime minister following huge streets demonstrations that sparked by a nightclub fire which killed 63 people.

According to Balkan Insight, Romania is still considered as one of the most corrupt states in the European Union. Romania made only a few development when it comes to fighting organized crimes and corruption. Many citizens from Romania complained that senior officials abuse their authorities, this includes overusing of motorcades which often leads to heavy traffic.

Since January 2014, seven former ministers, a former deputy prime minister, four lawmakers, one European Parliament lawmaker, a former minister, and many other Romanian officials have been sentenced to prison for corruption.

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romanian parliament, former minister, immunity, European Union, corruption in romania, senator gabriel oprea, romanian government, Romania

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