The Foundation For The Defense Of Citizens Against State Abuses (FACIAS) has filed a complaint to DNA for the purchase of 100,000,000 pandemic masks that were never used. Recently, prosecutors informed FACIAS that they have started criminal proceedings in rem following this complaint.
The Romanian state, through the Ministry of Economy, headed at that time by Virgil Popescu, decided to combat speculation on the Romanian market and came up with the idea of purchasing a huge quantity of anti-covid masks - 100,000,000. For this, he also involved the national company Romarm SA. The price paid for the huge number of masks was 112,000,000 RON, more than 22 million euros. The problem arose, however, when the Romanian state had to exploit these masks to justify the investment.
According to data obtained by FACIAS, only 5% of the entire batch of masks was actually sold, with the rest remaining unused or eventually donated. The poor management of the stock has caused huge damage to the Romanian state, with the total value of the purchase and transport and storage costs amounting to around €30 million.
FACIAS referred the matter to DNA in view of the significant irregularities associated with this purchase, which indicate that the official reason invoked, that of combating speculation, was merely a pretext. According to the latest information received by FACIAS from DNA, the criminal case following the complaint filed by FACIAS has been merged with criminal case No 151/P/2020.
The real stakes of buying masks
According to information in the public space, the 151/P/202 file would concern Romarm Director Gabriel Țuțu, investigated by DNA under judicial control in the case of non-compliant masks in MApN hospitals. Gabriel Țuțu was detained at the end of January by the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) for the purchase of non-compliant masks delivered to the MApN.
It is becoming increasingly clear that although state representatives have cited the fight against speculation as a reason, the reality is that a colossal 95% of the masks have never been used, the real stakes of these purchases being the enrichment of public officials and the profits of private companies.
FACIAS Press Office