Committee head Manda: Maior confirmed parties that took place in SRI offices

Former head of Romania's Intelligence Service (SRI) George Maior confirmed in a testimony on Tuesday before Parliament's SRI Oversight Committee the parties that took place at the SRI headquarters of Romania's National Day, the SRI Day, birthdays, including Victor Ponta, Liviu Dragnea, Laura Codruta Kovesi, Livia Stanciu, says committee chairman Claudiu Manda.

"A theme related to parties or events hosted by SRI headquarters was approached. He [Maior] confirmed that such events would be held on the occasion of the National Day of Romania, the SRI Day or his or his first deputy's birthday or name day. He also confirmed the list of the attendees. We had previously got other names as well all Romanian force units from the Public Prosecution Service, police, intelligence services, courts, political party leaders, Cabinet members, some of which made it to the public space. He confirmed them, saying that some came more often, others more rarely, but the people from the public space, he confirmed them, saying that there is nothing wrong with that, with being an informal discussion between people who have formal and institutional relationships," said Manda.

Asked about the people whom George Maior confirmed to have attended these informal events, Manda mentioned members of the Government, Victor Ponta and Liviu Dragnea, but also former head of the Supreme Court Livia Stanciu and chief prosecutor of the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) Laura Codruta Kovesi.

"At those socialising events, mentions were made of heads of institutions. They concluded members of the government - [former] Prime Minister Victor Ponta, [former] Deputy Prime Minister Liviu Dragnea (...) In addition to the names of government members, mentions were made of heads of the STS [Special Telecommunications Service], the SIE [Foreign Intelligence Service], the SPP [Special Guard and Protection Service], intelligence gathering organisations - DGA, DGIPI -the Prosecutor's Office with the Supreme Court. I cannot confirm about [incumbent attorney general] Lazar, but people in the management of prosecutor's offices, prosecutors, courthouses- in this case Mrs Livia Stanciu - I also said about Mrs Kovesi," said Manda.

Maior mentioned that the people who would show up were usually the same.

"We did not go into details to see whether there were differences; the usual people were from prosecutorial offices, the army, law enforcement organisations, SIE, STS, SPP, the Supreme Court's management. He said that there were meetings at K2 and T14 and that was the question of the slaughtering of a pig, and he said there was a Christmas meal and so, which he confirmed it existed. I guess both Mr Dragnea and Mrs Kovesi have confirmed that the Christmas meal happened," added Manda. AGERPRES (RO - author: Alina Novaceanu, editor: Florin Marin; EN - author: Corneliu-Aurelian Colceriu, editor: Rodica State)