Romania Court Frees Ponta of Corruption Charges

Romania's Supreme Court on Thursday acquitted former Social Democrat Prime Minister Victor Ponta of corruption in one of the country's most high-profile graft trials and after postponing a ruling five times. The ruling can be appealed.

Ponta and former Social Democrat Senator Dan Sova were indicted in 2015. Prosecution claimed they used their law firm to allegedly alforge energy sales contracts and to facilitate tax evasion and money laundering during 2007-2008. The investigation in the case lasted four years.

Ponta was the first Romanian prime minister to be indicted for corruption during his mandate. It led to his resignation as leader of the Social Democratic Party; he was replaced by Liviu Dragnea.

Ponta also resigned as prime minister in November 2015 folllowing large anti-corruption protests triggered by a rock club fire, which killed 65 people on October 30, 2015.

He remains an MP and was appointed as a pro-bono adviser to Serbian President Alexandar Vucic after receiving Serbian citizenship.

Read more: 

Romanian Prosecutors Charge PM With Corruption

Romania PM Resigns Over Deadly Club Fire

Romania Seeks Answers from Serbia Over Stalled Extradition