Romanian politician calls protest against criminal law changes a “Nazi manifestation”

Romanian politician Catalin Beciu, vice-president of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE) party led by former Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu, had an aggressive reaction to the protests organized in Bucharest on Wednesday evening against the Government’s plan to bring several changes to the criminal law, including the pardon of prisoners. In a Facebook post, the ALDE leader called the protest "the first Nazi manifestation of the past 70 years in Romania," calling the protesters "morons" and "animals." "Yesterday, the first Nazi manifestation of the past 70 years was organized in Romania. Some morons who want torture instead of imprisonment and extermination camps instead of prisons took to the streets," he said in the Facebook post he later deleted, reports Digi24. "They also want the violation of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to dignity and humane treatment. You animals, I’m disgusted by you. I’m disgusted with all of you who took to the streets last night. I’m so disgusted that I would also manifest on the streets against you. I just have to be sure that I respect the Constitution, which guarantees your right to life… Today, I’m not so sure. I go crazy when I see Nazis." Later the same day, he decided to delete this post and add another one that said: "I decided to delete the post that made a career on Facebook. Not secretly, but openly. Why? Simple: so that my friend’s lists wouldn’t be invaded anymore." Later the same day, Catalin Beciu added a video of the protest organized in Timisoara on Thursday evening, saying that, this time he will not comment anymore, but ask why he should go to prison, as the people shout at the protest. "I did not steal anything. Well, then why are these people saying that I’m stealing? Why are they threatening the leader of a party? Why is it that only they have the right to insult? And in general, why?" Some 1,000 people took to the streets in Timisoara on Thursday, also protesting against the Government’s two emergency ordinances that bring changes to the criminal law. Similar to the previous protests organized in Bucharest and other cities on Wednesday, the protesters chanted slogans against the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and ALDE, against PSD leader Liviu Dragnea, and against the pardon the Government proposes. Smaller protests were also organized in Iasi and Brasov. Bigger demonstrations are planned for Sunday, however, with Romanians from cities such as Bucharest, Cluj, Baia Mare, Suceava and Iasi, and even those living in Copenhagen, being expected to protest. In another Facebook message posted this morning, Catalin Beciu admitted that his language was inappropriate, and said that the categorizing was also wrong, as the Nazism is "something else." "But the way they shouted that we are thieves, all of them, even if this is not true, or “DNA should come and get you,” or “go to jail!” of course, in a spontaneous and innocent way, the same thing happens to us, the ones that support amnesty, we can lose our temper." Justice minister Florin Iordache also said on Wednesday evening, while some 3,000 people were protesting in Bucharest against the criminal law changes, that they "are not properly informed." A surprising reaction to the protests came from Alina Mungiu-Pippidi, the president of the Romanian Academic Society (SAR), one of the most influential local think-tanks and the initiator of the Romania Curata (Clean Romania) civic platform. "I'm sure that the people who went to the streets are of good faith, but I would like to know who called them. We have been organizing protests since the Rosia Montana; one would need really powerful Facebook relays to gather 10,000 people to these events in such a short time. The civil society doesn't have that kind of relays," she said in a TV show at B1 TV. She hinted that NGOs connected to secret services may have initiated the protests. She also said recently that the Save Romania Union (USR), a party that went from almost nothing to the third political force in Romania after the Colectiv protests in 2015, may have benefited from the Romanian Intelligence Service - SRI's support. USR president Nicusor Dan said he would sue Alina Mungiu-Pippidi for her statements. The Romanian Ministry of Justice issued two emergency ordinances on Wednesday. One of them introduces pardon for some categories of prisoners, while the second one brings several changes to the Penal Code. For example, one of the documents provides full pardon for inmates with prison sentences of up to five years, except for people convicted of violent crimes and corruption. Moreover, people over 60, pregnant women, mothers with children under five, and people with incurable diseases in terminal stages should benefit from partial pardon. According to justice minister Florin Iordache, some 2,500 prisoners may benefit from this measure.