Romania’s deputy prime minister has been charged with trying to rig a referendum that last year failed to oust President Traian Basescu.
Liviu Dragnea and 74 others are accused of falsifying data to sway the vote’s outcome. Mr Dragnea denies the charge.
Prime Minister Victor Ponta’s governing coalition called the July 2012 vote to impeach Mr Basescu, a political rival.
A low turnout invalidated the vote, but Mr Dragnea is accused of encouraging dirty tricks to increase voter numbers.
The impeachment case and its fallout have raised European Union concerns over corruption and political influence in its second-poorest member state.
Prosecutors accused Mr Dragnea of using his authority within Romania’s Social Democrats to influence the referendum’s outcome.
Romania deputy PM Liviu Dragnea faces vote fraud charge
