Romanian judges protest against ‘threat’ to justice

BUCHAREST: Hundreds of Romanian judges demonstrated in major cities on Friday, and prosecutor´s offices decided to suspend work to protest against a government decree they say threatens judicial independence.

Around 200 prosecutors and judges were applauded in Bucharest as they walked in silence to the Court of Appeals, with onlookers calling out, "We support you" and "Don´t give in."

The movement was triggered by a decree adopted Monday by the Social-Democratic (PSD) government that changes rules for nominating various categories of judges and reinforces a new disciplinary jurisdiction.