On November 14, 2023, the Plenary of the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM) admitted 4 referrals of the interim Prosecutor General, requesting the release of an agreement to conduct criminal prosecution against certain judges who are under criminal investigation by the Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office and the National Anticorruption Center.

In the first case, one of the judges is suspected of passive corruption and influence peddling (art. 324 paragraph (3) letter a), art. 326 paragraph (1), art. 326 paragraph (11), art. 326 paragraph (2) letter b) of the Criminal Code). Therefore, the Council gave its consent for the initiation of criminal prosecution actions, including forcible bringing, detention, arrest and conducting searches.

For two other judges, who are suspected of complicity in influence peddling (art. 42 par.(5), art. 326 par.(11), art. 326 par.(2) letter b) of the Criminal Code) and, respectively, influence peddling (art. 326 par.(2) letter b) of the Criminal Code), consent was issued for the same criminal prosecution actions.

The last judge involved is suspected of active corruption (art. 325 par.(3) letter a1) of the Criminal Code), being granted the consent for the initiation of criminal prosecution, forced bringing, detention, arrest and searches.

After the issuance of the SCM's agreement, the Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office, jointly with the National Anticorruption Center, have conducted searches in the offices, cars and residences of judges.

Criminal investigations are carried out within the framework of criminal procedural legislation, respecting all the rights and freedoms of the investigated persons, ensuring the principle of the presumption of innocence, the confidentiality of the criminal investigation, respect for private life and personal data.

We will be back with additional details.