Chief prosecutor Kovesi: Requests under protocol, signed by Morar; DNA, SRI co-operated before 2013

Chief Prosecutor of the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) Laura Codruta Kovesi told AGERPRES on Tuesday that DNA had co-operated with the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) before 2013 as well, as requests under the protocol between the two bodies were signed by her predecessor Daniel Morar himself.

"DNA co-operated institutionally and in writing with SRI under their protocol signed in 2009. The DNA archives have showed that the protocol had been implemented by the National Anti-Corruption Directorate in its activity even before 2013. Requests under the protocol are signed by the Chief Prosecutor Daniel Morar. The protocol was sent to all the DNA departments; prosecutors applied it, the only observation made in 2009 was that direct communication between DNA and SRI was being sought, instead of thorough the attorney general. Virtually, a direct protocol between DNA and SRI was being sought, and not a protocol for all the prosecution offices," said Kovesi.

She added that her predecessor could have terminated the protocol, especially since he was delegated to the position of attorney general in October 2012.

"Let's not forget that Mr Morar was delegated, and he started carrying out the duties of an attorney general in October 2012. Had there been provisions running contrary to the law, he could have certainly denounced this protocol, especially because he had all the powers of the attorney general. But prosecutors with the Public Prosecution Service kept on following this protocol after October 2012 as well. It is important to say that when this protocol was signed, a working group was set up which drafted the protocol, the draft protocol was forwarded to the prosecutor's offices to gather their points of view to have their observations included therein. The protocol was applied by thousands of prosecutors for years. Nobody has sent any notification that this protocol would include provisions that are not in accordance with the law, because this protocol is drafted strictly in accordance with the law and does not provide for additional rights, additional obligations for any of the bodies involved," added Kovesi.

On March 30, the Romanian Intelligence Service published on its site the declassified co-operation protocol concluded in 2009 with the Public Prosecution Service for the conduct of their national security duties. AGERPRES (RO - author: Mihai Stoica, editor: Florin Marin; EN - author: Corneliu-Aurelian Colceriu, editor: Rodica State)