Justice minister to demand explanation from OECD head after criticism of CCR decision on removal of Kovesi

Romanian Justice Minister Tudorel Toader will ask for an official statement from OECD head Drago Kos, who criticised, according to ziare.com, the decision issued by the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) on the removal of the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) Codruta Kovesi.

The Romanian minister took to Facebook on Monday to ask “Threats from OECD or internal manipulation? On Monday I will address the OECD to communicate officially whether the statements by Mr. Drago Kos were made in his own name or on behalf of the OECD, as the title of the piece published by ziare.com. In an article published n 1 June, it is stated that, on behalf of the OECD, Mr. Drago Cos made a number of statements, very serious ones” regarding the Romanian court.

“Moreover, the same publication cites, quoting the same sources, also on behalf of the OECD, statements according to which “Your Justice Minister will soon learn in a tough way that he is in a great error.” Toader wrote on Saturday on Facebook.

The minister said it was “absolutely necessary” to make this clarification “given the seriousness of these statements, as well as similar experiences, when such statements ere attributed to certain organisations, such as GRECO,” which were later not confirmed.

“DNA is one of success stories in the global anti-corruption fight. Its functioning and results are a study model for generations of students around the world.

The current government of Romania does not want to continue the fight against high-level corruption and does anything to find an excuse for doing so.

Your Justice Minister will soon learn in a tough way that he is in a great error. I’m sorry that the image of the country suffers because of its impulsive statements,” Kos told ziare.com in an exclusive interview.