Romania's Prime Minister indicted in corruption probe

(Vatican Radio) Romanian prosecutors have indicted Prime Minister Victor Ponta as part of a wide-ranging corruption investigation, amid mounting pressure on him to resign.

Regional correspondent Stefan Bos reports:

Listen 

Romania's anti-corruption agency, DNA, said on Monday that Ponta has been indicted on charges including fraud, tax evasion, money laundering, and making false statements. The crimes allegedly happened in the period 2007-2011 before he became prime minister.

Some allegations relate to his activities as a lawmaker and lawyer when he reportedly received roughly $61,000 from a political ally and member of parliament.

Prosecutors also believe he is guilty of conflict of interest as prime minister. But parliament, where Ponta's party has a majority, has refused to lift his immunity from prosecution.

It remained unclear when and if Ponta would be detained on the other charges, but prosecutors said they already frozen his assets.

PONTA DENIES WRONGDOING

The announcement came after the 42-year-old Ponta, who is recovering from a knee operation and walks on crutches, stumbled into the offices of the anti-corruption agency for questioning.

Yet even before Monday's meeting with prosecutors, he already denied wrongdoing. “I will present all my evidence, because I haven't had any possibility up to now to do it. I am absolutely sure that I am innocent,” he told reporters. He is Romania's first sitting prime minister to be indicted and have his assets seized.

Ponta resigned as chairman of the ruling Social Democratic Party Sunday, saying he wanted to prove his innocence. President Klaus Iohannis has urged him to also step down as prime minister, but Ponta refused. The probe is part of a wider anti-corruption drive that has cost several prominent Romanians their jobs in recent months.