Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office: No request received regarding Iulian Muntean's evaluation
The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office states that it has not been approached by the Pre-Vetting Commission to provide information about candidate Iulian Muntean, as it has done in the case of other candidates, according to a statement from the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office.
The institution mentions that, according to legal provisions, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office is not obligated, nor does it have the right, to accumulate information and notify the Pre-Vetting Commission ex officio regarding candidates undergoing evaluation.
"In fact, the ex officio provision of such information by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office without a legal basis contradicts the principle of presumption of innocence," the statement from the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office reads.
Thus far, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office has received multiple requests from the Pre-Vetting Commission regarding several candidates for the Superior Council of Prosecutors and the Superior Council of Magistrates subject to evaluation by the Commission.
"To ensure the provision of a complete response, the employees of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office checked both databases and requested this information from each prosecutor separately. In response to all requests from the Pre-Vetting Commission, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office provided the available information for each candidate undergoing evaluation," the statement from the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office further states.
The reaction of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office comes after reports in the media that the new member of the SCM, Iulian Muntean, who promoted the Pre-Vetting Commission's evaluation, is allegedly involved in a corruption case.
Previously, the National Anticorruption Center (CNA) and the Pre-Vetting Commission issued statements.
"None of the information provided to the Commission made reference to criminal investigations concerning the candidate or his status as an accused person," the Pre-Vetting Commission's statement notes.
Representatives of the National Anticorruption Center (CNA) mentioned that they provided additional information to the Commission on September 19.
In his defence, lawyer Iulian Muntean claims that this is a case fabricated at the behest of the former leader of the PDM, Vladimir Plahotniuc.
Furthermore, Olesea Stamate, the Chair of the Legal, Appointments, and Immunities Committee, has announced parliamentary hearings on this matter for Monday.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
