US Embassy: Parliamentary immunity shouldn't be used abusively by some to avoid responsibility

The United States Embassy, in the context of the rejection by the Senate of the request regarding the taking into custody and placement under preventive detention of senator Dan Sova, that parliamentary immunity "shouldn't be used abusively by some to avoid responsibility."

Photo credit: (c) Alex TUDOR / AGERPRES ARCHIVE

"As we said before, reducing corruption is vital for Romania's development and security. We don't comment upon individual cases, but we believe that one of the basic principles of democracy is that all people are equal before the law. Parliamentary immunity shouldn't be used abusively by some to avoid responsibility. Investigations must be allowed to take their course when it comes to corruption cases and the enforcement of the law," said the Embassy, when asked by AGERPRES.

The senators on Wednesday rejected the request regarding the taking into custody and placement under preventive arrest of Social Democratic senator Dan Sova, under charges of committing three counts of abuse of office in the case having to do with corruption acts discovered in relation to two companies operating in energy field, namely Turceni and Rovinari.

Out of the total 151 votes, 79 were cast in favour of the request and 67 against it, with five votes annulled.

However, since the senators who voted failed to reach a majority, the Senate ended by rejecting the request regarding the taking into custody and placement under preventive detention of Dan Sova. The voting procedure was of secret vote with balls and urns.

AGERPRES