Law Professor from Iași Accused of Sexual Abuse of Students, Appeal to Supreme Court
Ionuț Alexandru Toader, an academic at the University of Iași, arrested on 24 October, has contested the preventive measure at the supreme court. A decision is expected on Tuesday.
Son of Former Justice Minister Tudorel Toader Brought Under Escort to Supreme Court
Ionuț Alexandru Toader, professor of Civil Law at the University of Iași, was brought on Tuesday under escort to the supreme court to support his appeal against preventive arrest, according to ProTV News. He has been in detention since 24 October, when the Iași Court of Appeal issued a preventive arrest warrant against him for 30 days.
Prosecutors from the Iași Court of Appeal's Prosecutor's Office have sought the preventive measure on the basis of serious allegations: rape in continuous form, sexual assault and attempted sexual assault. According to the same prosecutors, Toader allegedly used his position as a university lecturer to obtain sexual favours from students.
The judge of rights and liberties justified the arrest by stating that there was reasonable suspicion that the defendant had exercised his authority as an academic to sexually abuse multiple students and that, in these circumstances, his place was behind bars.
Toader contested the measure, banking on a favourable decision from the supreme court. His father, former Justice Minister Tudorel Toader, who is part of the defence team, refused to make statements, only noting that "justice is done in the courtroom".
Another defence lawyer argued that the allegations were not sufficiently proven and that, in these circumstances, a lighter preventive measure would be justified — house arrest or judicial supervision.
The scandal erupted following revelations by journalists from Iași, who identified multiple students who reported alleged abuses committed by the professor of Civil Law.
Source: Știrile ProTV