General Prosecutor Will Not Resign or Withdraw Candidacy for Second Term

Romania’s general prosecutor, Augustin Lazar, said in a press statement on Tuesday that he will not resign nor withdraw his candidacy for a second term in office, in the context of a scandal surrounding his activity as a magistrate during the communist era.

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Lazar said that neither of these acts would be “in the interest of society”, and that he will not represent political interests.

“What is the role of the general prosecutor? Should I represent the political interests of those who wish to manipulate? I entered this procedure not to withdraw, but because I had accomplishments which I thought should continue,” the magistrate said in a press statement.

The prosecutor held the event in order to respond to accusations that he collaborated with the secret police of the former communist regime, which he denied, after documents surfaced showing that he signed off to reject the early release from prison of anti-communist dissident Iulius Filip during the 1980s.

Romania’s Justice Ministry held a contest to designate a new general prosecutor after Lazar’s term expires towards the end of April, with results expected to be announced shortly. Lazar was one of the four candidates to file for the role.

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