Commander of ground forces summoned to anti-corruption prosecutors
General Vlad Gheorghiță, head of the Defence Staff, was questioned by military anti-corruption prosecutors in a case concerning favouritism in military system recruitment.
Commander of ground forces summoned to anti-corruption prosecutors
Romania's highest military rank was present on Tuesday at the National Anti-Corruption Directorate. General Vlad Gheorghiță is being investigated by military prosecutors for alleged manoeuvres related to the expansion of places for tuition-free higher education, benefiting a young woman who was subsequently supposed to enter the officer corps.
Investigators suspect that the officer influenced the decision to extend the number of student places at a faculty of physical education, so that the daughter of a colleague of high rank could be admitted. Sources close to the investigation claim that the signature on the documents should have belonged to the official responsible for the sector, not the army commander.
The case is being handled by a military prosecutor who has also worked on a case involving another general. The file is believed to have been opened in autumn of last year, and now appears to be in an expanded phase, after investigators carried out digital searches and questioned witnesses.
On arrival at the anti-corruption headquarters, Gheorghiță said he had no information about the charges. On departure, he declined to comment. In a statement issued afterwards, he denied any illegal conduct and rejected any involvement in acts of corruption.
Other persons with the rank of general are believed to be implicated in the matter. A number of procedures for filling positions within the military institution are being examined.
The interim Defence Minister stated that the head of state was informed of the situation and that an analysis will be made regarding the fate of the two most important men in the armed forces.
Gheorghiță has led the armed forces since November 2023. Before this position, he was the deputy head of the institution and commanded an infantry division.
Source: G4Media
Source: G4Media