Romanian Prime Minister faces criminal charges

Romanian prosecutors formally charged Prime Minister Victor Ponta with forgery, conflict of interest, tax evasion, corruption and money laundering in connection with his professional activities as a lawyer between 2007 and 2011, prior to when he took office in 2012.

Investigators from Romania's anti-corruption agency, known by its acronym DNA, accused Ponta of receiving the equivalent of $61,000 (55,000 euros) from Dan Sova, a member of parliament and close ally of Ponta's, whom the DNA agency suspects of abuse of power.

Prosecutors also "temporarily seized assets," without saying what was confiscated. Ponta did not speak to the press after he left the prosecutor's office on Monday.

Still PM, despite resigning as party leader

Ponta has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing since investigators opened the case on June 5, saying he would cooperate fully with the investigation. He is the first sitting Romanian prime minister to be criminally indicted.

As prime minister, he can enjoy immunity from some of the charges, such as conflict of interest, but he cannot dodge the tax evasion or money laundering charges.

After prosecutors announced the investigation in June, the Romanian parliament held two votes - one on whether to lift Ponta's immunity and the other on the possibility of holding a vote of no-confidence. Both measures were defeated.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis asked Ponta to resign, but Ponta has refused.

Ponta has, however, stepped down as leader of the Social Democratic Party, Romania's largest party, saying he wished to prove his innocence.

This case is the latest in a string of recent corruption investigations by the DNA agency targeting top Romanian officials.

mes/msh (AFP, AP)