Romania launches investigation after allegations of police violence in protests

Romania has launched an open investigation after police violence claims in a protest against the government last week, in which hundreds of people have been injured.

Prosecutors have made this announcement, though the protests have been continuing on their fourth day on 13 August.

About 80,000 people, most of them Romanians living abroad, have returned home to protest in Bucharest, accusing the Government of corruption and calling for resignation.

To disperse the crowd, police have used water cannons, tear gas and spray, leaving more than 450 people injured, including 30 police officers.

The incident has sparked sharp criticism in Romania and the European Union.

So far we've received 30 complaints and my colleagues are interviewing the injured”, military prosecutor Ionel Corbu said on August 13th, adding that “all suspects who have acted against the law” will be questioned.

Prosecutors will also analyse security forces videos as they are involved with protesters, most of which have been published in social media.

EU Justice Commissioner Vera Jourova has called on the Romanian government to rethink recent changes to the justice system, which have sparked massive protests.

Protesters have cited recently adopted legislation, which has de discriminated several cases of bribery among politicians.

Romania has faced frequent anti-corruption protests a year ago, though violence has been rare.

In the past 15 years, about four million Romanians have left their country to live in any European Union country.

Most have cited government corruption and lack of economic opportunities as reason to leave their country