Bologa: In times of crisis, corruption thrives; in 2020-2021 - over 160 cases related to the epidemiological situation

National Anti-corruption Directorate (DNA) Chief Prosecutor Crin Bologa said on Thursday, in respect to pandemic acquisitions, that corruption thrives in times of crisis, adding that more than 160 cases had been registered in 2020 and 2021 related to the epidemiological situation, agerpres reports.

Asked on Radio Romania News about the pandemic files and the acquisitions from this period, Crin Bologa answered: "As we know, in times of crisis, corruption thrives and this pandemic situation is a crisis situation not only for Romania, but for all the states of the world. Under these circumstances, of course, we have a lot of cases or a relatively large number of cases pending in terms of pandemic procurement, pandemic corruption, and we have had over 160 cases related to the situation in 2020 and 2021. We are currently working on 88 cases and 60 people are being prosecuted as suspects and defendants, and eight cases have been prosecuted, including 21 in connection with the pandemic situation."

Crin Bologa said staff shortages are "a big problem" in DNA.

"We have a big problem here. For example, in September, the staff of prosecutors was 69%. We managed to bring in 17 more prosecutors. We currently have a 77% complete prosecutor staff, compared, for example, with the period until 2017-2018, when there were over 90%," explained the chief prosecutor of DNA.

Regarding the notifications coming from the intelligence services, Bologa states that they are still there, but in a smaller number.

"There are notifications from the intelligence services, but in a smaller number, because, also as a result of a decision of the Constitutional Court, corruption was no longer considered as an element of national security and then it is not part of the object of activity of the intelligence services, but we are informed if they find corruption in their work or have information about the possibility of such acts. So we receive intelligence," Bologa said.