In South-European countries, one in three penal judicial system professionals are aware of situations where there has been an attempt to influence the decision-making process. 33% of the cases are mainly direct cases. These are the conclusions of a Transparency International Romania study entitled "Integrity and Resistance of the Law Enforcement Bodies in South East European Countries". According to the study, the random distribution of cases is recognised as an efficient means to prevent political pressures and to offer the necessary safety to those working with high level corruption cases.
The study presents the situation in nine South-East European countries: Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Ex-republic of Yugoslavia and Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia. The study is based on a questionnaire filled in by judicial system staff. Most of them consider that the penal judicial system is negatively influenced by the legislative instability, low incomes and mass-media pressure. Additionally, one in three professionals in the penal judicial system say they are aware of situations where decisions have been subjected to direct and deliberate influence attempts.
Most judges, prosecutors and Romanian policemen see the current salary level as inadequate to insure their independence.
In Romania, most judges, prosecutors and police officers regard the judicial system as independent. Only 12% of the judges, 16% of the prosecutors and 19% of the police officers consider that the system is not at all independent, or to a very little extent. Plus, 64% of the judges, 79% of the prosecutors and 81% of the police officers say that they didn't encounter situations where the Government influenced their decisions.
The Government's influence is perceived as indirect, through a constant change o
