PG Lazar says Justice Crime Investigation Section, to take over approximately 1,400 cases

Prosecutor General Augustin Lazar declared on Tuesday that the Justice Crime Investigation Section (dealing with the investigation of the offenses committed by the magistrates) will take over from other prosecutor's offices approximately 1,400 cases. 

"Approximately 1,400 cases. It is an important volume of cases and today the activity will begin," Lazar said, at the seat of the Prosecutor's Office. 

The Justice Crime Investigation Section with the Prosecutor's Office attached to the High Court of Cassation and Justice became operational on Tuesday. 

"Thus, according to provisions of art. 88 (1), in conjunction with the provisions of art. III from Law 304/2004, in regards to judiciary organization, republished, with the later amendments and additions, today, 23 October 2018, the Justice Crime Investigation Section with the Prosecutor's Office attached to the High Court of Cassation and Justice has become operational. The section has the exclusive competence of carrying out the prosecutions for crimes committed by prosecutors and judges, including those that have the position of members of the Superior Council of Magistrates (CSM) and the military judges and prosecutors, the Section also keeping its prosecution competence when, alongside justices and prosecutors, other people are investigated," a press release sent by the Prosecutor's Office. 

According to the source, the cases in the works at the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) and other prosecution units, as well as the cases settled so far, that concern crimes committed by judges or prosecutors, are to be taken over by Justice Crime Investigation Section.