Appeal's trial in PSD's Liviu Dragnea's case begings with postponement

The High Court of Cassation and Justice (ICCJ) Monday postponed to November 5, the beginning of the appeal'strial in the case of the Teleorman Social Assistance and Child Protection Directorate General (DGASPC), in which the chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Liviu Dragnea, was convicted in the first instance to 3 years and 6 months imprisonment. 

Liviu Dragnea did not show up in court, and judges announced that the PSD leader sent a request for postponement in order to hire an attorney. 

In front of the courthouse 30 people have gathered since the early morning, supporters of Liviu Dragnea, the majority being elderly people. They had placards with messages such as: "Dragnea - political trial", "No to Securitate" (Securitate - communist-era secret police, ed.n.), "No protocols". 

Several protesters from the #rezist group showed up at the seat of the Supreme Court, and an exchange of lines taking place between the two groups. 

The gendarmes asked the supporters of the Social-Democrat to clear the sidewalk in front of the Court's seat because they were taking part in an unauthorized action, and if they refuse they will be fined. In reply, a woman told the gendarme that this was not a protest. "No one organized us, it's just support", the woman said. 

On the other hand, one of the #rezist protesters was fined 500 lei by the gendarmes for disturbing the peace. 

ICCJ was supposed to start the trial of the appeal on Monday in the case of the Teleorman Social Assistance and Child Protection Directorate General (DGASPC), in which the PSD chairman, Liviu Dragnea, was convicted in the first instance to 3 years and 6 months imprisonment. The appeal in this case was declared by both the prosecutors from the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA), as well as by the defendants. 

The trial was assigned to a five-judge panel, led by Iulian Dragomir. 

On June 21, the High Court of Cassation and Justice sentenced Liviu Dragnea to 3 years and 6 months imprisonment for instigation to abuse of office in the DGASPC Teleorman case. 

The decision of convicting was taken by two of the three judges of the panel. The third one voted for acquittal.