The Minister of Defense, Radu Miruță, announced on Thursday that an operational inspection carried out at the 52 Geniu Tisa Battalion in Satu Mare revealed „serious and systemic deviations,” ranging from the illegal occupation of military positions to the use of army resources for personal purposes.
According to the minister, the documents have been forwarded to the DNA, and the unit commander has been removed from office.
Illegally Occupied Positions and Altered Selection Results
The inspection revealed that several soldier positions and professional graded soldier positions were illegally occupied, after the results of selection competitions were altered. Consequently, candidates initially rejected were declared admitted.
The Minister of Defense stated that, according to the statements of those involved, these modifications were made even "by giving sums of money to those who organized these selections".
"The illegal occupation of soldier positions and professional graded soldier positions was found, as well as the situation of altering the selection results of candidates, so that those initially rejected were declared admitted," Radu Miruță stated.
Invented Activities for Money and Higher Pensions
Another category of irregularities concerns the invention of non-existent activities, based on which money was collected. These fictitious activities had effects even on military pensions.
"Non-existent activities were invented (...) leading to an increase in pensions for those who self-invented such activities, and an additional 2,000 lei per month for pension," said the Minister of Defense.
Military Trucks Used for Personal Purposes and an Illegal Network of Stores
Following the inspection, other deviations were discovered:
- use of military trucks for personal purposes,
- existence of an illegal network of stores within the unit, which did not meet sanitary conditions and did not declare income,
- use of soldiers for activities in the superiors' households,
- illegal logging, transported with military means to private properties of those in charge of the unit,
- fictitious transport missions, for which fuel and other expenses were reimbursed.
Documents Sent to DNA and Commander Revoked
As a result of these findings, the Ministry of Defense has taken a series of measures: the documents were forwarded to the competent authorities, several individuals were referred to the DNA, and the mandate of the unit commander was suspended.
Moreover, illegally conducted competitions are to be verified and annulled, the stores within the garrison have been dismantled, and the ministry has initiated steps to recover the damages.
"Corruption has zero tolerance from my point of view," emphasized Radu Miruță, adding that he hopes this case will be an isolated one.