Mayor of Iasi's office raided by Romanian Anticorruption Authorities

Mihai Chirica denied any wrongdoing and said whoever is responsible will pay

DNA (National Anticorruption Directorate) prosecutors raided Iasi City Hall and 11 other addresses in a new corruption case on 10 June 2021. In total, 15 people, including Mayor Mihai Chirica have been implicated in an alleged corruption case from 2019. DIICOT (Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism) initially detained four of the 15 people prosecuted in the case.

This has to do with the exchange of land between Iasi City Hall and two businessmen that owned land near “Eternitatea” Cemetery, for which they would have received 3,000 square meters of the Cicoarei neighbourhood. The exchange took place during the pandemic. 

Some of the people implicated in the case are the former architect of the city Alexandru Mustiaţă, the inspector Victor Gavriluţă from the Cadastre Service from Iaşi City Hall, the notary Răzvan Ionuţ Costin and Claudiu Asimionesei, the owner of the publication Bună Ziua Iaşi. The court stipulated that Mustiaţă, Gavriluţă and Asimionesei be placed under judicial control for 60 days.

Mayor Chirica, who is in his second term, is a defendant in a similar case about the exchange of land in the city centre, however, he maintains his innocence.

Chirica stated that the actions from the DNA are targeting a legal event, however, as current mayor, he must provide them with all the necessary documents. He specified that the search targeted the offices of the Heritage Service and the Cadastre Service.

Mayor Chirica maintains his innocence regarding the incident

“Whoever made a mistake will pay (…) I personally have no emotion,” the mayor stated in front of Agerpres.

Romania’s fight against corruption has been a long one and it is undeniable that progress has been made. Popular judicial reforms, supported by civil protests, have helped improve the state, paving the way for European integration. However, considering Romania ranks 70^th out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s 2019 report, much more work needs to be done.