PHOTO VIDEO “We don't want people influenced by Lia Savonea”. Protest in front of the Ministry of Justice, 3 days before the finalization of applications for the competition for heads of public prosecutor's offices
The organizations Declic, Corpuția Ucide and Inițiativa Romania organized a flashmob, on Friday, in front of the Ministry of Justice, to draw the attention of the authorities that the new heads of DNA and DIICOT must be “competent, independent and integrity” people.
About 10 people participated in the flashmob, in the context in which the action was not previously publicly announced.
Those gathered in front of the Ministry of Justice asked PSD Minister Radu Marinescu to appoint “integrity people” to head DNA and DIICOT.
On January 8, the ministry headed by Radu Marinescu launched the procedure for appointing the heads of the big packages, DNA and DIICOT. Monday, February 9, is the deadline by which prosecutors can submit their candidacy.
“We don't want people influenced by Lia Savonea”
The organizers of the action say that they set up this flashmob to draw the attention of the authorities that they want people of integrity at the head of DNA and DIICOT.
“We don't want corrupt people, we don't want people influenced by Lia Savonea (ed. president of the Supreme Court). We don't want people with a dubious past or people who operate a phone,” said Angi Şerban, one of the organizers of the flashmob.
Another organizer of the flashmob, Diana Voicu, said that in the justice system there is pressure so that “clean people” do not run for the head of the big prosecutor's offices. She mentioned, in a statement provided to HotNews, about the accusations of plagiarism against Minister Radu Marinescu.
“Our sources, some of which have also reached the press, talk about extraordinary pressures in the system so that people of integrity, with unblemished names, who really want reform in the judiciary are discouraged from participating. This strategy of deterrence is not new if we look at the fact that immediately after the prosecutor Beșu, Raluca Moroșanu, and Mrs. Judge Marinaș, came out, they made revelations, they immediately had to deal with reprisals. It is not surprising that in the system there is pressure for clean people not to run”, said Diana Voicu.
“We also want a transparent selection process, to be sure that the voices of experts in the ministry are heard and it is not just a political decision, and finally to reach a balance in the judiciary,” said another media organizer.
One of the chants addressed directly to the Ministry of Justice was: “Radul, are you listening to us? Stop recycling the corrupt.”
Protesters also shouted: “Let clean magistrates run”, “Integrity, clean names” and “Justice, not corruption”.
The calendar and procedure for appointing DNA and DIICOT heads / Nicușor Dan has the last word
Applications for registration can be submitted by prosecutors who want to participate in the selection until February 9, at 12:00, at the Human Resources Directorate of the Ministry of Justice.
The list of candidates who meet the conditions for participation will be published on February 16, and between February 23 and February 26, prosecutors will hold interviews before the commission established by order of the Minister of Justice.
This commission will include:
- a psychologist from the Superior Council of Magistracy or from the courts or prosecutor's offices.
- the Minister of Justice, now Radu Marinescu
- two representatives of the ministry
- two prosecutors appointed by the Section for Prosecutors of the Superior Council of Magistracy
- a representative of the National Institute of Magistracy appointed by its Scientific Council
- a specialist in management, institutional organization and communication appointed by the Academy of Economic Studies – Faculty of Management
The results of the interviews will be displayed on March 2. On the same day, the Ministry of Justice will send the proposals to the CSM. If the CSM opinion is positive, Radu Marinescu will send the proposals to the president Nicușor Dan.
If the opinion is negative, the Minister of Justice organizes a new interview with the candidate who received a negative opinion.
“Following the interview, the Minister of Justice can continue the procedure by submitting to the President of Romania the proposal for appointment to the management position, accompanied by all the relevant documents, or withdraw the proposal, triggering a new selection procedure within a maximum of 60 days from the withdrawal of the proposal”, says the law on the status of judges and prosecutors.
Following the interviews, the Minister of Justice will make another selection and formulate a “reasoned proposal for each of the management positions” that he will send to the prosecutors section of the SCM, which will have to issue an opinion.
Finally, President Nicușor Dan can refuse, with reasons, the proposals from the Ministry of Justice, and the appointment decree or refusal must be issued within 60 days at most from the moment he received the proposal from the minister.
What conditions must be met by the prosecutors who sign up to lead the large prosecutor's offices
The law says that a number of conditions must be met for the positions of chief prosecutors, including:
- Have at least 15 years of experience as a prosecutor
- Not to have been part of the intelligence services or to have collaborated with them
- To have no personal interests that could influence their objectivity and impartiality
Also, those who sign up must submit a project “regarding the exercise of the duties of the position”, statements from which it can be concluded that they have not collaborated with the intelligence services, proof of meeting the seniority conditions, a CV, at least 10 works carried out in the last 5 years and the last professional activity evaluation report.
