Prosecutors place pandemic-era Romanian health minister under judicial supervision
<p>Former Romanian health minister <strong>Nelu Tătaru</strong> has been placed under judicial supervision by anti-corruption prosecutors in a case where he is accused of taking small-value bribes. </p>
<p>Prosecutors from the Iași Territorial Service of the National Anticorruption Directorate, or DNA, ordered the initiation of criminal proceedings and imposed a judicial supervision measure for 60 days against Nelu Tătaru, a specialist doctor at "Dimitrie Castroian" Municipal Hospital in Huși, for the offense of accepting bribes on a continuous basis. </p>
<p>The measure was put in place starting Monday, November 4. Tătaru will not be able to practice medicine in public healthcare system hospitals as a result.</p>
<p>"While under judicial supervision, the defendant must adhere to a series of obligations, including the requirement not to leave the country without prior approval from the prosecuting authority and the prohibition from practicing as a doctor in any public healthcare facility," the <a href="https://www.pna.ro/comunicat.xhtml?id=12733">statement</a> notes. </p>
<p>DNA announced on October 10 that Nelu Tătaru was placed under criminal investigation in a case where he is accused of receiving bribes as a doctor, including sums of money between RON 100 and 500 (EUR 20 - 100), as well as food items. The case also includes an ongoing investigation into 27 other individuals who are considered suspects for the crime of offering bribes, DNA reports.</p>
<p>Nelu Tătaru was minister of health during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. He denied any wrongdoing and said he never conditioned the medical treatment.</p>
<p><em><a href="mailto:radu@romania-insider.com">radu@romania-insider.com</a></em></p>
<p><em>(Photo source: Inquam Photos | George Calin)</em></p>