The Romanian Parliament adopted on Tuesday the bill initiated by the Ministry of Justice that regulates the procedure for determining judicial expenses in the case of fugitives who have evaded criminal prosecution or trial, as well as the procedure for recovering the expenses incurred in bringing them back to Romania.
Today’s vote in the Chamber of Deputies comes after the law has already passed the Senate on April 15. It will now go for promulgation.
The initiative aims to limit the phenomenon of "fugitives" and discourage this criminal behavior.
Thus, the costs related to apprehending individuals who evade criminal prosecution or trial will be taken into account when determining judicial expenses.
Moreover, regarding the costs related to apprehending wanted individuals who evade serving their sentence, the Romanian authorities acquire a right to recourse before the competent civil court.
"Fugitives must think twice before fleeing from justice in Romania. This is because the law 'the fugitive pays' was adopted today by Parliament, more precisely by the Chamber of Deputies, and is heading for promulgation.
It is known that some of the convicts have discovered their talents as criminal athletes, but you should know that the Romanian state spent nearly 10 million lei (2 million euros) in 2023 to bring these fugitives back. The Ministry of Justice has drafted this common-sense bill. You run away from justice in the country, when you return, you pay for your return, not the Romanian state," said minister Alina Gorghiu about the bill that passed through Parliament.
Two scenarios, two types of fugitives
The Minister of Justice added that "there are two scenarios: one in which the defendant flees from criminal prosecution or trial, and then the costs of bringing them back to the country are added to the judicial expenses, and the second scenario is when the convict flees from serving the sentence and, in this case, the money will be recovered through a civil process initiated by the ministry that incurred the expenses."