- Title: ROMANIA-PONTA Romanian prosecutors charge PM Ponta in criminal probe
- Date: 13th July 2015
- Summary: BUCHAREST, ROMANIA (JULY 13, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEDESTRIANS (SOUNDBITE) (Romanian) BUCHAREST RESIDENT, CONSTANTIN, SAYING: "Corruption? It's not only in Romania. But here, it is very high. Nobody should be proud of this situation or make it public, because it is a shame, what's going on. I'm ashamed that I'm Romanian and I have this leadership." PEOPLE IN STREET (S
- Embargoed: 28th July 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Romania
- Country: Romania
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA996K34A4SXA8TLM8JKSO3W208
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS MATERIAL THAT WAS ORIGINALLY 4:3
Romanian anti-corruption prosecutors on Monday (July 13) named Prime Minister Victor Ponta as a defendant in a criminal inquiry, charging him with forgery, tax evasion and money laundering.
The move intensifies pressure on Ponta, 42, who said on Sunday (July 12) he was stepping down as leader of his leftist PSD party until the investigation was completed.
But he has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and called the allegations against him politically motivated, making clear he will not resign as prime minister despite calls from President Klaus Iohannis for him to quit.
After being interviewed by prosecutors at the National Anti-Corruption Office (DNA) earlier on Monday, Ponta only said that his "expertise" was needed in an investigation.
"The prosecutor asked, and this is very good, for (my) expertise on financial accounting. We will meet again when it will be done, in August," said Ponta, who returned to Bucharest last week after nearly a month in Turkey for knee surgery, leaving the DNA headquarters on crutches.
The Romanian leu did not react to the news, trading firmer at 4.4320 against the euro as news of a bailout deal revived risk appetite in Central European markets.
The investigation began on June 5 and focuses on Ponta's activities as a lawyer from 2007-2009. He became prime minister in 2012.
"Prosecutors ordered a stepping-up of the penal action against the defendant Ponta, a lawyer at the time of the deeds ... on charges of forgery of documents - 17 counts - accessory to tax evasion... and money laundering," the DNA anti-corruption prosecutors said in a statement.
Ponta told reporters he would meet prosecutors again in August.
The prosecutors said they had also temporarily seized assets belonging to the prime minister. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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