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| Romania protests grow over corruption decree | Romania protests grow over corruption decree |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| The Romanian capital, Bucharest, has seen one of its largest ever anti-government protests after a decree was passed that could free dozens of officials jailed for corruption. | The Romanian capital, Bucharest, has seen one of its largest ever anti-government protests after a decree was passed that could free dozens of officials jailed for corruption. |
| A crowd of at least 150,000 was reported outside government offices late on Wednesday and rallies took place in other towns and cities. | A crowd of at least 150,000 was reported outside government offices late on Wednesday and rallies took place in other towns and cities. |
| As the protesters dispersed, a group of football supporters threw firecrackers at police who responded with tear gas. | |
| The decree was passed late on Tuesday. | The decree was passed late on Tuesday. |
| The leftist government, led by Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), says it is needed to ease overcrowding in prisons. | The leftist government, led by Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), says it is needed to ease overcrowding in prisons. |
| But Mr Grindeanu's critics say he is trying to release allies convicted of corruption. | But Mr Grindeanu's critics say he is trying to release allies convicted of corruption. |
| Wednesday's protests came hours after the EU warned Romania against "backtracking" in its efforts to beat corruption. | Wednesday's protests came hours after the EU warned Romania against "backtracking" in its efforts to beat corruption. |
| "The fight against corruption needs to be advanced, not undone," said European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker. | "The fight against corruption needs to be advanced, not undone," said European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker. |
| "We are following the latest developments in Romania with great concern." | "We are following the latest developments in Romania with great concern." |
| Protesters in Bucharest chanted "Resign" and "Thieves, thieves". | Protesters in Bucharest chanted "Resign" and "Thieves, thieves". |
| "Our chances are small but it is important to fight," said architect Gabriela Constantin. | "Our chances are small but it is important to fight," said architect Gabriela Constantin. |
| Another protester, Nicolae Stancu, said: "We came to protect our country against criminals who tried to dismiss the rule of law in Romania; to protect our rights and interests, not their obscure interests." | Another protester, Nicolae Stancu, said: "We came to protect our country against criminals who tried to dismiss the rule of law in Romania; to protect our rights and interests, not their obscure interests." |
| The emergency decree decriminalises several offences and makes abuse of power punishable by incarceration only if the sums involved are more than €44,000 (£38,000; $48,000). | The emergency decree decriminalises several offences and makes abuse of power punishable by incarceration only if the sums involved are more than €44,000 (£38,000; $48,000). |
| One immediate beneficiary would be the PSD leader, Liviu Dragnea, who faces charges of defrauding the state of €24,000. | One immediate beneficiary would be the PSD leader, Liviu Dragnea, who faces charges of defrauding the state of €24,000. |
| Others due for release include elected officials and magistrates. | Others due for release include elected officials and magistrates. |
| Are you in Romania? Have you been protesting? You can email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences. | Are you in Romania? Have you been protesting? You can email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or comment here: | Or comment here: |