Romania: prosecutors launch criminal probe against deputy PM

CP1808973055
In this photo taken on Jan. 4, 2017, Romanian Deputy Premier Sevil Shhaideh attends a parliament session in Bucharest, Romania. Romanian anti-corruption prosecutors have initiated a criminal inquiry against a deputy prime minister on suspicion of abuse of office in a land transfer probe, saying in a statement Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, that in 2013 Sevil Shhaideh, at the time was a state secretary in the regional development ministry, allegedly aided the transfer of 324 hectares (800 acres) of land near the River Danube, to a local council county which then illegally leased it to a private company.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

BUCHAREST, Romania – Romanian anti-corruption prosecutors have initiated a criminal inquiry against one of the country’s three deputy prime ministers over allegations of abuse of office during a land transfer.

Prosecutors said in a statement Friday that in 2013 Sevil Shhaideh, at the time a state secretary in the regional development ministry, allegedly aided in the transfer of 324 hectares (800 acres) of land near the River Danube, to a local council which then illegally leased it to a private company.

Earlier, Shhaideh declined to provide details when appearing before prosecutors.

Shhaideh is an ally of Social Democratic Party leader Liviu Dragnea who can’t be prime minister due to a conviction for vote-rigging.

Prosecutors named another five officials or former officials as suspects in the case.

News from © iNFOnews.ca, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

Abbey Westbury

Related Articles