The Embassy of the United States of America in Bucharest says in response to an Agerpres question on the voting in Parliament on the case of MPs Madalin Voicu and Nicolae Paun, that cutting down corruption is essential for Romania’s development and security, and that parliamentary immunity should not be abused to protect individuals from being held responsible.
Although we do not comment upon particular cases, a basic principle of democracy is that all people are equal before the law. Parliamentary immunity should not be abused to protect individuals from being held responsible. Investigations in corruption cases should be facilitated, so that justice may be done appropriately, is the position expressed by the US Embassy.
The Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday rejected the requests of the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) for the approval of the remand and arrest of Social Democrat deputy Madalin Voicu. In the case of MP Nicolae Paun, the remand was approved, but then the Chamber session was suspended for lack of quorum. The second request, the one regarding Paun’s arrest, will be debated and voted on next Wednesday. The two are charged with several corruption offenses.
