Who investigates Romania’s magistrates? Only three of 14 prosecutors are in office. Cristina Chiriac calls it a “major priority”

Only three of the 14 prosecutors designated to investigate magistrates are currently working at Romania’s Prosecutor’s Office attached to the High Court of Cassation and Justice. Prosecutor General Cristina Chiriac says completing the team will be one of the major priorities of her mandate.

Two additional prosecutors have been proposed for appointment and are awaiting validation by the Superior Council of Magistracy. The issue was also on the agenda of a CSM plenary meeting attended by President Nicușor Dan on September 3.

In comments to Gândul, Chiriac said Romania needed more effective investigations into corruption allegedly committed by magistrates. “A major priority is to intensify efforts to prevent and combat corruption committed by magistrates by increasing the efficiency of investigations, resolving cases promptly and ensuring a firm institutional response, while respecting judicial independence, the presumption of innocence and procedural safeguards,” she said.

She called for vacant posts to be filled as a priority, including positions for prosecutors, judicial police officers and specialist staff. She also highlighted continuing professional training for prosecutors handling these cases, along with the logistical, technical and financial resources required for complex investigations.

Chiriac said prosecutors’ offices and other institutions involved in preventing and combating corruption should develop more effective cooperation mechanisms. Her agenda also includes prioritizing complex cases or those that could affect confidence in the justice system, reducing the time needed to resolve them, and regularly reviewing cases that ended in dismissal, acquittal or prolonged proceedings to identify possible systemic weaknesses. She supports publishing relevant statistics and institutional results periodically, while protecting confidential case information and the rights of people under investigation.

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A major priority is to intensify efforts to prevent and combat corruption committed by magistrates by increasing the efficiency of investigations, resolving cases promptly and ensuring a firm institutional response, while respecting judicial independence, the presumption of innocence and procedural safeguards.