The Foundation For The Defense Of Citizens Against State Abuses (FACIAS) organized on Thursday, May 19, the first edition of the Verticality Awards Gala to reward volunteers, specialists and non-governmental organizations that have actively contributed to the defense of citizens' rights and freedoms.
The Verticality Awards represent the recognition given by FACIAS to those who have participated, through their work, in the promotion and protection of universally recognised freedoms.
The winners of the Verticality Awards Gala are: Prof. Ioan Muraru - Ombudsman (2001 - present); Vasile Barbu - president of the National Association for the Protection of Patients; Ioan Hasasiu - president of the Mures County Pensioners' Union; Carmen Ene - lawyer; Ion Ion, Cristea Repede, Radu Serbanescu - volunteers.
The Grand Prize, in memoriam Laura Buiac, was awarded to Mr. Nicolae Popa, university professor doctor in law, president of the Constitutional Court of Romania (2001 - 2004) and of the High Court of Cassation and Justice (2004 - 2009).
The Verticality Awards Gala is a project of FACIAS, through which we aim to pay tribute to those who are actively involved in preventing anti-social and unconstitutional slippages of political and administrative decision-makers.
Laura Buiac Memorial Award
Laura Buiac, victim of a road accident, died at the age of 22. The young woman was fatally hit on a pedestrian crossing by a car belonging to the Austrian Embassy. The driver, enjoying diplomatic immunity, could not be investigated or charged. Following a request for transfer of proceedings to Austria, the case was prosecuted and the only sanction imposed was a criminal fine of € 2400. The girl's parents - although they were injured parties and had joined the case - were not summoned due to a procedural error.