Romania's National Anti-corruption Directorate

Romanian organised crime prosecutors on Tuesday asked for lenient sentences after the heads of corporate intelligence company Black Cube - Dan Zorella, Avi Yanus and Gal Farchi - admitted spying on the chief prosecutor at Romania's National Anti-Corruption Directorate, Laura Kovesi, who has since taken the helm at the European Public Prosecutor's Office.

Romania's former anti-corruption champion, former chief prosecutor Laura Codruta Kovesi, has challenged her country's government at the European Court of Human Rights over her dismissal last year as head of Romania's National Anti-Corruption Directorate, the DNA.

The chief prosecutor of Romania's National Anti-corruption Directorate, Laura Codruta Kovesi, stated Wednesday that she had no reason to relinquish her post, defending the work of the organization and her subordinates despite accusations of falsified evidence and witness intimidation from former MPs - some of whom have been impacted by the directorate's work.

Romania's National Anti-Corruption Directorate, DNA, summoned Deputy Prime Minister Sevil Shhaideh for a hearing on Friday to inform her that she is a suspect in a graft case.

Shhaideh, who also heads the Ministry of Regional Development, told journalists she is not at liberty to disclose more information because the investigation is underway.

Romanian police conducted over 20 searches on Tuesday at medical offices in a case involving 31 hospitals and clinics, following claims that doctors conducted unauthorized clinical trials on some 250 patients in order get money from sponsors.

The Public Prosecutor's Office has accused the doctors in charge of bribery, abuse of office and forgery of private documents.

Romania's National Anti-corruption Directorate (DNA) has sent to court 1,250 high-level cases last year, which is the highest number investigated in a year since the founding of the agency, DNA chief prosecutor Laura Codruta Kovesi has said.