February 23 (SeeNews) - Romania's justice minister Tudorel Toader said on Thursday evening that he is seeking the dismissal of the chief of anti-corruption directorate DNA, Laura Codruta Kovesi, sparking protests across the country.
Toader said Kovesi has damaged the image of the country abroad and accused her of being too authoritarian.
"I am starting relocation procedure for Laura Codruta Kovesi. This report accompanied by the proposal will be forwarded to CSM [council of magistrates] and to the president of Romania to analyze and decide according to their constitutional competencies," Toader said at the end of an 80-minute news conference broadcast by Digi 24 TV channel.
EU officials and anti-corruption institutions have praised DNA's activity in general and Kovesi's activity in particular on numerous occasions, stressing that her efforts are crucial for the country's fight against corruption.
Romanian president Klaus Iohannis has the final say on the proposal to dismiss Kovesi. According to the law, he must wait for the consultative decision of the CSM and then decide on the matter.
On Thursday night, Iohannis reiterated his satisfaction with DNA's activity.
"The president of Romania has repeatedly expressed his satisfaction with the work of the DNA and its leadership, which he continues to maintain. The president will use all the constitutional prerogatives to ensure the functioning of independent justice and to strengthen the rule of law," the president's office said in a statement.
Following Toader's announcement, a total of around 3,000 people rallied in the capital Bucharest and in other Romanian cities to protest against the planned dismissal of the head of DNA, local media reported.
More protests are expected to take place on Sunday evening, according to social media initiatives.
The most recent protests in Romania took place on January 20, when some 100,000 people took to the streets in Bucharest and other cities to protest against planned changes to the Criminal Code which they saw as an attempt by the government to backtrack on the fight against corruption.
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