Romanian prosecutors hear former and current health ministers

Health Minister Nicolae Banicioiu came on Wednesday, March 4, at the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) to testify as a witness in a case that involves Silvian Ciuperca, the president of the Ialomita County Council, according to judicial sources, cited by local Mediafax. DNA prosecutors also heard former Health Minister Eugen Nicolaescu. They arrested Ciuperca in February for bribery and abuse of office. After the hearing, Banicioiu said that he talked about the results of a control the Health Ministry carried out at the Ialomita County Hospital, when Eugen Nicolaescu was still Health Minister. According to prosecutors, Ciuperca used his influence to help Adrian Berbece take over as interim manager of the Ialomita County Hospital, in January last year. editor@romania-insider.com