Prosecutors in Romania announced a former prime minister will go on trial on charges of taking bribes, blackmail and abuse of public office.
The case against Adrian Nastase, who was head of the cabinet from 2000 to 2004, relates to the building of an apartment in Bucharest.
But he denies taking EUR 1.37 M in bribes. He says the case against him, his wife Daniela and two other people is a political vendetta.
Adrian Nastase was forced to step down as leader of the opposition Social Democratic Party after the investigation opened last year, but he remains a member of parliament.
Progress on tackling corruption on high political echelon is crucial to Romania's plan to meet the January target date for EU membership.