The four judges under criminal investigation in cases involving passive corruption and influence peddling have been suspended from office. The decisions were adopted on Tuesday by the Superior Council of Magistracy, IPN reports.

The issues of suspension from office were discussed behind closed doors, with SCM President Sergiu Caraman saying that it was necessary to protect the secrecy of the criminal prosecution.

Following the deliberations, the SCM members approved the suspension from office of the magistrates until the adoption of the final decisions on the cases in which they are being investigated. The names of the judges were not mentioned.

The SCM decisions can be appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice within 30 days.

Last week, law enforcers carried out searches in 12 criminal cases filed for active bribery, passive bribery and aggravated trading in influence, targeting four judges, one prosecutor and three lawyers. Only Judge Tamara Mereuta and her son, who is a lawyer, are under arrest. The others are being investigated at large.