The Supreme Court of Justice on Wednesday rejected the appeal filed by the suspended Defense Minister, Teodor Atanasiu, against the decision the Appeals Court took two weeks ago. The Appeals Court refused to nullify the President’s Ordinance against Atanasiu, although the Prosecution Office found no reason to open a criminal pursuit against the minister.
At the beginning of October, the military prosecutors found that the criminal complaints against Atanasiu, filed by the presidential counselor Adriana Saftoiu and the social-democrat deputy Eugen Bejinariu were not supported enough by arguments to open a criminal file.
Nevertheless, President Basescu maintained his ordinance to suspend Atanasiu. Today, after the decision at the Supreme Court, it is clear that Atanasiu can not return to the Defense Ministry. At least until the legal term for a new criminal complaint can be filed expires. Both Adriana Saftoiu and Eugen Bejinariu are about to renew their complaints.
