"The film is shocking. In it, high-ranking prosecutors and judges describe how Romania's judiciary is controlled politically. They detail how major corruption cases disappear into drawers, conscientious prosecutors and judges are thwarted and punished by their superiors, and politicians and civil servants embezzle millions with impunity. The court system is vegetating, a high-ranking justice official says at one stage in the two-hour documentary."
"It is now the number one topic in the media across the southeastern European country, roiling both politicians and the public. Angry citizens have demonstrated every evening in the capital Bucharest and several other cities since last Wednesday. Romanian President Nicusor Dan has expressed his support for the report on his Facebook page, calling for more consistent judicial reform. The post registered 10,000 likes, but also thousands of angry comments calling on him to back up his words with action."
"The rigged judicial system and delays in fighting corruption in Romania have been an issue for decades, and the focus of repeated protests, state crises, and changes of government. Numerous attempts at reform have failed to have lasting impact. Some have confronted these failures in the past but the number of high-ranking prosecutors and judges willing to speak out for the Recorder report, in addition to the level of detail they provide about the influence of politicians and senior officials, is new."
High-ranking prosecutors and judges describe political control of Romania's judiciary, detailing how major corruption cases are shelved, conscientious officials are thwarted and punished, and politicians and civil servants embezzle millions with impunity. The film has drawn nearly 4 million YouTube views and triggered nightly demonstrations in Bucharest and other cities. President Nicusor Dan and Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan acknowledged the report and promised reform, while citizens demand action. The rigged judicial system and slow anti-corruption efforts have persisted for decades despite repeated reform attempts. The number and rank of officials speaking out and the level of detail they provide represent a new element.
Read at www.dw.com
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