Romanian lawmakers vote to lift former minister’s immunityFebruary 3, 2016 - 17:21 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Romania's parliament has voted to lift the immunity of a former interior minister so he can be investigated on suspicion of abusing his position by allegedly overusing official motorcades, the Associated Press reports. Senators voted 102-30 Wednesday to lift the immunity of Sen. Gabriel Oprea. Anti-corruption prosecutors say Oprea used a motorcade 1,607 times from Jan 2-Oct 21, 2015, an average of five times a day and three times more than Romania's president used the privilege. Oprea denies wrongdoing. Many Romanians think senior officials abuse their positions by overusing motorcades, which often block traffic in the busy capital. There was public outrage when a policeman escorting Oprea died when his motorbike hit a pothole. Oprea resigned on Nov 4 when the government collapsed following street protests over a deadly nightclub fire that killed 63. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |