On Sunday, thousands of people gathered in the streets of the capital, Bucharest, as well as other cities, to support judges and prosecutors who exposed widespread abuse within the judicial system in an investigative documentary
Mass protests have swept through several Romanian cities for the fifth consecutive day over allegations of judicial corruption.
On Sunday, thousands of people gathered in the streets of the capital, Bucharest, as well as other cities, to support judges and prosecutors who exposed widespread abuse within the judicial system in an investigative documentary.
A documentary aired on Tuesday by the media outlet Recorder alleged that politically connected senior judges exploit legal loopholes for unethical practices, including controversial acquittals. Judges and prosecutors who speak out say they are often subjected to disciplinary measures.
About 10,000 people marched through Bucharest on Sunday evening, chanting slogans such as “Justice, not corruption” and “Independence, not obedience,” according to Reuters.
Thousands more protesters gathered in other cities across Romania, as they have done daily since the demonstrations began on Wednesday.
That same day, several hundred judges and prosecutors signed an open letter on social media condemning what they described as “deep and systemic dysfunction” within the justice system.
“Truth and integrity must be protected, not punished. Silence is not an option when the core values of our profession are under threat,” the letter said. It drew support from politicians and business leaders.
President Nicușor Dan said he would hold consultations with members of the judiciary on December 22, noting that the volume of complaints about “integrity problems in the justice system” showed that “the situation is very serious.”
Judicial corruption has long been a problem in Romania. Even after the southeastern European country met the criteria to join the European Union in 2007, Brussels kept its justice system under special monitoring.
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