SIE chief questioned on site for flights to Formula 1 races

Gabriel Vlase is to be questioned today, at the headquarters of the Foreign Intelligence Service, by the joint control committee within Parliament, according to statements given yesterday by Mihai Weber (PSD) and Nicu Fălcoi (USR) for G4Media. The chairman of the parliamentary committee, Mihai Weber, did not specify, however, why the hearing is taking place at the headquarters of the SIE - an institution headed by Gabriel Vlase - and not at the headquarters of Parliament, which controls the activity of that service.

What is certain is that Gabriel Vlase will be questioned regarding the rental of a private plane in recent months to participate in the Formula 1 races in Monza, Baku and Abu Dhabi.

Mihai Weber stated that the main topic of the hearing will be related to Vlase's trip on December 8, the date of the second round of the presidential elections, the day on which the head of the SIE would have traveled to Abu Dhabi to attend a Formula 1 race. "I am particularly interested in the flight on December 8," Mihai Weber declared to the cited source. He added: "We will also discuss possible risks to state security, how the information was provided to beneficiaries and other necessary aspects. Our presence at the SIE headquarters allows us to have direct answers from those responsible." Nicu Fălcoi, a member of the commission from the USR, stated that the hearing will also target other similar trips. "We requested this special hearing to understand the circumstances of the flights by private plane. We were invited to discuss what happened during the presidential elections, but also about an opinion related to a legislative project in Parliament. I don't know exactly what will be discussed," Nicu Fălcoi told the quoted source.

According to information published in the media, Gabriel Vlase flew, together with his deputy and two other people, in September to the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Baku, Azerbaijan. Later, the source reported on two other similar trips. In an official response, the SIE confirmed the trips, but invoked the secrecy of the mission and sent a warning to the press not to publish additional information about the service's activity.

So far, neither President Klaus Iohannis nor Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu have asked Gabriel Vlase to resign following these revelations. However, the hearings scheduled by the parliamentary committee could provide clarification on the purpose and justification of the trips made by the head of the SIE.

"After the hearing, I will come out with a public point of view," said Mihai Weber, chairman of the joint parliamentary committee for supervising the activity of the SIE. The members of the commission emphasize that these trips raise questions regarding the use of the institution's resources and the implications for state security.

It remains to be seen what conclusions the parliamentary commission will draw after the meeting with the SIE leadership and whether these will lead to new administrative or political measures.