Traian Băsescu says he did not know that Lucian Pahonțu had been in the Securitate when he appointed him to lead the SPP

Traian Băsescu said he did not know that Lucian Pahonțu had allegedly been in the Securitate when he appointed him to lead the Protection and Guard Service in 2004. The former president made the statements on the program “În fața Ta,” amid public reactions generated by a journalistic investigation into the head of the SPP.

Băsescu said he had known Pahonțu from the period when the latter led a gendarmerie intervention brigade and that he had received a recommendation from the Interior Ministry. The former head of state acknowledged that he had not checked Pahonțu’s file before the appointment and said he assumed responsibility for the decision.

He explained that, after taking office, he wanted to replace the heads of the security structures inherited from the Ion Iliescu administration. In this context, he replaced General Gabriel Naghi as head of the SPP.

Regarding Pahonțu’s approximately 21-year tenure, Băsescu said the period was long, but reiterated that the appointment had been made based on the information he had received at the time. He also maintained that, in 2004, he believed the Army, not the Securitate, had fired during the Revolution.

The former president also mentioned the transfer of the Securitate archives, ordered in 2005, as well as the condemnation of the crimes of communism, presented in Parliament in 2006. Regarding the current leadership of the intelligence services, Băsescu said that President Nicușor Dan must decide for himself what measures are necessary.