Former IntMin Gabriel Oprea stripped of immunity

The Senate lifted the immunity of Senator Gabriel Oprea, a former vice prime minister and minister of home affairs, in a 71-to-52 secret vote on Wednesday, with one vote cancelled. 

The Senate thus approved the request of the National Anti-corruption Directorate (DNA) to prosecute Oprea for office abuse, in connection with expenditures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs under his tenure as minister. 

In an address to the plenum before the vote, Oprea claimed his innocence and asked his fellow senators to reject the DNA's demand. 

Former ministers who are also members of the Parliament can be prosecuted only if the relevant chamber - Senate or Chamber of Deputies - approve it by a plenary vote. AGERPRES