Romanian parliament spares former PM Nastase from trial

(BUCHAREST) - Romania's parliament voted Wednesday against the prosecution of former Prime Minister Adrian Nastase and his then transport minister Miron Mitrea on corruption charges.

Nastase, who served as premier between 2000 and 2004, "cannot be investigated further," a parliamentary spokesman said, saying that only 120 deputies had voted in favour of pursuing criminal proceedings, far short of the 218 needed, while 150 voted against.

In the case of Mitrea, who was transport minister from 2001 to 2004, 160 deputies voted for criminal proceedings and 115 against.

The vote was called following a request from prosecutors, since parliament must approve the prosecution of ministers or former ministers who also have a parliamentary seat. Both Nastase and Mitrea are currently deputies for the opposition Social Democrat PSD party.

The two men are suspected of having their personal homes built at a substantial discount in return for appointing the head of the building company to a top position in the public works ministry.

Both have repeatedly rejected the accusations as being politically motivated.

In July, the EU Commission in Brussels published a report criticising Romania for not doing enough to stamp out high-level corruption.

Romania joined the European Union on January 1, 2007 and the commission has been monitoring its progress on justice reform and combating corruption on behalf of member nations concerned about shortcomings in these areas.