There is this accustomed procedure in Romania: if something really bad happens within or because of a certain public institution, the head of that institution will resign. There will be a large media coverage of this issue, of the resignation and of the ongoing investigation when it is announced. But the real culprit and the mistaken way of handling things are rarely eliminated.

Let’s take the latest case for example. Some of you might remember that three Romanian journalists were kidnapped in Iraq. This happened more that a year ago and luckily they came back home with no visible physical injuries. The case was pretty blurry, some voices said at least one of the journalists knew of this plan, nothing proven.

A trial started against businessman Omar Hayssam, Sirian citizen living in Romania, thought to be the head of the Iraqi operation. While on trial, some prison doctor signed a paper stating Hayssam’s cancer was pretty severe, although he had no expertise in oncology and the specialists from the Oncology Institute never agreed on this. Some judge decided to acknowledge this dubious medical paper and release Hayssam. As they are not obliged to, none of the state’s institution tried to supervise him.

The result, not surprising: Omar Hayssam is now missing(RO), thought to be hiding or to have crossed the borders aboard a Sirian ship carrying sheep, which has left from the Constanta port. Gone with the sheep, pretty poetic I might add! The doctor that has signed the paper is also missing; he took a leave of absence soon after the creation of this paper and hasn’t been seen yet.

What the authorities did? Well simple, the heads of three major intelligence and defense institutions have resigned (RO). And the General Attorney of Romania thought of doing the same. This leads to what? Great media impact, political issues and shaking the balance of the political scene, moving the attention towards the future new heads…What will happen to the judge, the police procedures, the customs procedures in the Constanta port and other such ports and the procedures for medical documents? Who will look for Hayssam and his prison doctor? Who knows, who cares? A resignation spree will have enough impact to make most people simple forget about it.