The DIICOT response to the “unfounded” statements of the former USR Minister of Justice. How to explain the “longer” time for the programming of hearings in the Nordis file

The Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism Offenses (DIICOT) has sent a press release regarding the Nordis file, on Friday, and argues that “the investigation takes place, being administered, rhythmically, the means of evidence to find out the truth.” At the same time, the institution argues that in order to be heard “some injured persons” it is necessary “a longer time”, as they “have a domicile or residence in other states”.

The DIICOT statement comes in the context in which USR deputy Stelian Ion said on Friday that “the investigation has been stagnating for almost half a year because the Public Ministry, led by the Attorney General Alex Florence, did not provide DIICOT's funds to carry out experts”.

Also on Friday, in reply to the statements of the USR deputy, whom he called “false”, the General Prosecutor's Office said that DIICOT did not ask for “funds for carrying out the experts referred to”, as well as, according to the checks, “no expertise was ordered and carried out.”

Now DIICOT has transmitted a series of details and claims that Stelian Ion's statements are “unfounded”. According to the institution, starting on February 3, the following activities were carried out in the Nordis file:

• the arrangement of measures to unpack the samples, of the order of tens of thousands of documents, in the presence of the persons from whom they were raised;
• conducting computer searches on 230 electronic devices, including high capacity servers;
• hearing of over 2,000 people with different procedural qualities (including over 600 injured persons);
• The establishment of a criminal prosecution material that currently total over 400 volumes.

“The criminal prosecution activities are carried out daily”

DIICOT argues that “the criminal prosecution activities are carried out daily, with the strict observance of the rights of all the procedural parties”.

“I mention that, in the role of DIICOT, criminal complaints are registered, but some injured persons have a home or residence in other states, the programming of their hearing requiring a longer time,” the statement said.

DIICOT said that “the necessary judicial expertise in question” will be ordered by the prosecutors of the institution after the hearing of the injured persons will be completed and the existing evidence will be administered and corroborated, “as the administration of this means of proof implies the provision of the designated experts, including those proposed by the parties, of the complete material, and of the complete material, and of the complete material.

“We reiterate the commitment of the institution to solve the causes in the competence with speed and professionalism, exclusively on the basis of the administered evidence and with the strict observance of the principle of legality and procedural rights of all participants in the procedure,” concluded DIICOT.

This week, by the definitive decision of the Bucharest Court of Appeal, Vladimir Ciorbă, the owner of the Nordis group of companies, escaped. He is investigated in the Nordis file, together with his wife, Laura Vicol, and other people, for the establishment of an organized criminal group, misappropriation with particularly serious consequences, money laundering and tax evasion.