June 4, 2024
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Newsroom, 04.06.2024, 13:55
INVESTIGATION Scores of house search warrants are enforced today by the Organised Crime Service of the Romanian police and by prosecutors with the Directorate Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism Offences (DIICOT), as part of a criminal investigation into organised crime and migrant smuggling, the illegal crossing of Romania’s state borders, facilitating illegal stay in Romania and money laundering. The searches are conducted in the west and centre of the country and in Bucharest. An organised crime group is probed into for illegally obtaining work permits for nearly 1,200 foreign nationals, mostly from Pakistan and Bangladesh. DIICOT prosecutors are working together with anti-corruption prosecutors who are investigating corruption-related offences. A former interior ministry employee allegedly initiated and formed an organised crime group using several companies, with one of the group’s operations involving former and current interior ministry staff. The migrants reportedly paid EUR 500 to 1,000 for a work permit, and the group would collect as much as EUR 5,000-6,000 per person to expedite procedures.
BANKING The foreign currency reserves of the National Bank of Romania exceeded EUR 65 bln at the end of May, up 4.1% compared to the previous month. According to the central bank, Romania’s international reserves (foreign currency plus gold) are currently around EUR 72.2 bln.
DEFENCE The Romanian defence minister, Angel Tîlvăr had a meeting on Monday with the interim chief of the European Commission representation in Romania, Mara Roman, on which occasion he pointed out that the EU’s strategic approach to the Black Sea region must include support for the countries in the region, which are facing hybrid threats and the spill-over of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. According to the defence ministry, Angel Tilvar highlighted the support provided by Romania to Ukraine and to the Republic of Moldova. The participants also emphasised the increasingly important role played by the European Commission in supporting EU member states in the defence and security area, and the need to further develop the relations between the EU and NATO.
TEACHERS In Romania, students, teachers and other education staff will have a day off on Wednesday, to celebrate Teachers’ Day. This day is marked every year on June 5, the birthday of the great professor Gheorghe Lazăr, the founder of Romanian modern education. Summer break begins on Friday, June 21.
ATTACK The Syrian national who Monday threw a Molotov cocktail at the entrance of the Israeli Embassy building in Bucharest was arrested. The police say the attack was caused by personal grievances related to his visa application, and not by the Israeli operations in Gaza. The Ambassador of Israel to Bucharest, Reuven Azar, described the incident as a terror attack and praised the prompt response of the Romanian police.
FOOTBALL Romania’s national football team is playing Bulgaria tonight and Liechtenstein on Friday, June 7, in two friendly matches ahead of the European Championship due to kick off on June 14 in Germany. Bucharest will host both matches. Romania was drawn in Group E alongside Ukraine, Belgium and Slovakia. The national team will play Ukraine on June 17 in Munich, Belgium on June 22 in Cologne, and finally Slovakia on June 26, in Frankfurt. Romania last took part in a European Championship in 2016 in France. (AMP)
