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| A Momentous Trial |
| (2012-01-31) |
| Last updated: 2012-02-02 13:52 EET |
Adrian Nastase, former PM and former speaker of the Chamber of Deputies in Bucharest, was sentenced to two years in prison by the Romanian High Court of Cassation and Justice, having been found guilty on corruption charges.
It’s the first time in Romania that a former high-ranking official was sentenced to time in prison for corruption. Former Social Democratic PM Adrian Nastase, currently president of the National Council of the Social Democratic Party in opposition, was tried for his involvement in a case dubbed “Trophy of Quality”. The Romanian High Court of Cassation and Justice has sentenced Nastase to two years in prison.
He was accused of illegally gathering funds for his political campaign when running for president back in 2004, representing the Social Democratic Party. Prosecutors say the 1.6 million euros gathered from participation fees in the “Trophy of Quality in Construction” symposium were actually used in Nastase’s campaign. Involved in several famous corruption cases, but never before convicted, the former PM is outraged with the High Court’s decision and says the ruling was dictated by current Romanian President Traian Basescu, winner of the 2004 elections. Adrian Nastase had this to say.
Adrian Nastase: “This is a political case. It is based on a political issue, the 2004 election campaign. The basic idea was that the winner of the elections, although I’m not positive he really won them, exacts vengeance on the candidate who lost them, although I’m not positive he really lost them.”
If the appeal confirms this sentence, Adrian Nastase would have plenty to lose. For two years, he would not be allowed to vote or to be elected for public office, and would be denied the right to hold positions of authority within the Romanian state. Analysts believe this ruling proves that the Romanian justice system works. Here is Laura Stefan, an expert in anti-corruption and justice issues.
Laura Stefan: “For the first time, Romania shows it’s able to solve its high-level corruption issues. Adrian Nastase’s case has always been a topic of debate for the public and under the watchful eye of international bodies, which monitor Romania’s approach of corruption at high level. I believe that until now, there have been serious doubts as to how the Romanian judiciary is able to finalize such cases, and today we are convinced that a final verdict can be reached, even in such a heavy case.”
At the end of last year, Adrian Nastase was acquitted in a case of bribe giving. In another case on the Supreme Court’s agenda, the Social Democratic leader is accused of bribe taking and extortion. Analysts say Monday’s ruling could mean the end of Nastase’s political career.
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