Romania’s PM Indicted in Corruption Probe

Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta leaves the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (DNA) headquarters, were he went to answer prosecutors` questions, in Bucharest, Romania, 13 July 2015. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Romanian prosecutors have indicted Prime Minister Viktor Ponta as part of a long-running corruption investigation.

Ponta faces charges of document fraud, tax evasion, and money laundering.

The prosecuting authority informed Monday that Ponta's personal assets had been temporarily frozen.

The criminal investigation launched in June concerns activities of Ponta at a time when he was a lawyer, before he became Prime Minister in 2012, according to reports of the local anti-corruption agency, as cited by the BBC News.

Ponta has repeatedly rejected the accusations.

On Sunday Ponta stepped down as leader of the ruling Social Democratic party in order to have sufficient time to prepare his defense.

He has so far refused to resign as Prime Minister, neglecting the calls of President Klaus Iohannis to do.

Ponta has immunity for some of the charges, including conflict of interest.

However, he has no immunity from prosecution for the tax evasion and money laundering charges.

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