Romania Prime Minister Faces Trial For Corruption

Romania's anti-corruption prosecutors' office, DNA, on Thursday announced that Prime Minister Victor Ponta has been formally indicted for forgery, complicity with tax evasion and money laundering and will stand trial.

Ponta, who became Prime Minister in 2012, allegedly committed the crimes from 2007 through 2011 while working as a lawyer, the DNA added.

The accusations relate to Ponta's previous activity as a lawyer for a law firm owned by a former minister, Dan Sova, a close friend of his. Sova and three other people have been indicted in the same case.

Prosecutors started the investigation against Ponta in June, saying that between 2007 and 2008, while working as a lawyer but being also an MP, he forged expense claims and received at least 181,000 lei (some 40,000 euro) from Sova's law firm, although he did no work at the firm.

They said the firm made up activity reports for the supposed work that Ponta allegedly undertook for it.

Prosecutors said Ponta used the money to buy two apartments in Bucharest. In 2009, he also received a luxury car from Sova's law firm without paying for it, they alleged.

The prosecutors do not have to require parliament's permission to investigate Ponta over the charges as the alleged crimes were committed before he took office as Prime Minister.

Romanian President Klaus Johannis has already called for Ponta's resignation but the latter has denied wrongdoing and has said he will not step down. He has, however, resigned as leader of the ruling Social Democratic Party, PSD.

Ponta, 42, is the first sitting Romania prime minister to be indicted and have his assets seized.