The prosecutors of the Department for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) have opened a criminal file for investigations in rem regarding threats against the mayor of Sfantu Gheorghe.
“On December 15, the DIICOT prosecutors have decided, according to article 305, para 1 and 2, the start of criminal investigation ‘in rem’ for threats included in article 206 of the Penal Code according to Law 535/2004 regarding the preventing and fighting of terrorism.
On December 13, during the UDMR (the Democratic Union of Magyars in Romania) Union’s Representatives Council in Targu Mures statements subject to crimes according to article 206 were made, a release from DIICOT reads.
Antal Arpad, the mayor of Sfantu Gheorghe city (central Romania), stated on Saturday, during the above mentioned UDMR meeting, that should PM Victor Ponta not ‘instruct’ the Covasna County Prefect ‘to leave the Magyars be’, similar violent events such the ones that took place in Tg. Mures in 1990 might occur in Szeckers’ land.
“I ask Mr. Frunda to call on his boss, PM Victor Ponta, to instruct the Covasna County Prefect to leave the Magyars be. Whatever the Prefects are doing, it’s in his charge too. (…) Should he not, in the Szecklers’ land events such as the ones that took place in 1990 in Targu Mures might occur,” Anton Arpad said
During March 19-21, 1990, a violent ethnic conflict took place between Romanians and ethnic Magyars in Targu Mures. Five people died, hundreds were wounded.
Last week, Arpad was called on by the Covasna County Prefect Marius Popica to take down the Szecker’s flag from the Elisabeta Park placed downtown Sfantu Gheorghe.
Arpad replied he is not going to take down the flag, saying he would never offend the Szecklers’ symbol.
In retort, UDMR said it is ‘intolerable and ‘unthinkable’ that Magyars are the targets of the anti-ethical attacks and actions in 2014, also considering DIICOT investigation “a very serious matter”. According to an UDMR press release signed by the union’s secretary general Kovacs Peter, UDMR has found out about DIICOT investigation reading the media. The Magyar official also said that if it was “a joke”, then UDMR representatives found it amusing.