Head of Romanian Police resigns after controversial meeting with gang heads

Liviu Vasilescu, the head of the Romanian Police, accused a coordinated media attack against the law enforcement bodies in a press conference on Tuesday, September 1, and announced that he is resigning.

"We found a concerted media attack on the Romanian Police and the Ministry of Interior at a time when the country needs peace and combining all efforts to protect citizens," said Vasilescu, local G4media.ro reported.

He was involved in a scandal related to negotiations with the leaders of a criminal gang, as he was one of the police chiefs who met at night with the members of the so-called "Duduianu clan" ahead of the burial ceremony of one of its members. Over the weekend, Vasilescu explained that the meeting aimed to prevent events that would have put the sanitary safety at risk.

"Please allow me to step down from the position of inspector general of the Romanian Police today, to remain a police officer and fulfill the tasks that will be entrusted to me," Vasilescu said on September 1 while announcing his resignation.

(Photo source: Facebook/Directia Generala de Politie a Municipiului Bucuresti)