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U.S. Ambassador Klemm: Three years after Colectiv, I would not have expected fight against corruption weakened

November 1, 2018

US Ambassador to Romania Hans Klemm said on Wednesday that three years after the Colectiv club tragedy, he would not have expected the fight against corruption would be weakened, the independence of the judiciary would be under threat, and the selection of prosecutors would again be politicized, pointing out that these are a cause of great concern to the United States. “Looking back three years, what I would not have expected is that the fight against corruption would be weakened as it has recently; that independence of the judiciary would be under threat; that there is an ever-higher risk that selection of prosecutors would again be politicized. This is something I would not have predicted three years ago. Of course, as American ambassador this is something of great concern to me personally, my embassy, and also to the United States.’ Ambassador Hans Klemm said at the Memorial dedicated to the victims of the Colectiv club, according to the speech issued by the US Embassy. He remembered the solidarity and mobilization he saw after the tragedy, on the part of Romanians, of some countries and companies, to help the victims of the Colectiv club tragedy. “The United States, unfortunately, was too far away to give immediate medical support to those who suffered so badly, but we tried to do what we could and, of course, our hearts are with the families and friends of those who suffer,” said Hans Klemm. The US Ambassador also appreciated how the Romanians reacted after the tragedy, as they saw those young people who lost their lives as victims of corruption. “They said they were determined to fight corruption”, added the ambassador.

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