Prosecutors request jail for Romania ruling party leader

BUCHAREST: Romanian anti-corruption prosecutors have requested seven and a half years in jail for ruling party leader Liviu Dragnea in the final hearing of a trial over fake jobs, local media reported Tuesday. “The actions of the accused were likely to compromise the concept of public service,” the lead prosecutor for the DNA anti-corruption unit said. The DNA has also asked for a previous suspended two-year prison sentence handed down to Dragnea for a separate electoral fraud conviction to be served in full. That conviction prevented Dragnea from becoming prime minister even after the victory of his left-wing Social Democrat party (PSD) in a December 2016 parliamentary election. Dragnea was present in court for the hearing and once again professed his innocence.