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Romania: 2 top police chiefs resign in child abuse case

Romania: 2 top police chiefs resign in child abuse case

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — The two top police officers in the Romanian capital of Bucharest have resigned after a traffic officer was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing two children.

Bucharest police chief Dragos Orlando Nicolae and his deputy announced their resignations Friday evening, in a case that has exposed deep rifts in the left-wing government. They said the move was to protect their honor.

A 45-year-old police officer was detained Monday following a three-day manhunt after CCTV images showing the abuse of a 5-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy in an elevator. Police say the officer has confessed.

The government appears to be looking for someone to blame. Premier Mihai Tudose has asked Interior Minister Carmen Dan to resign, but she has refused. She wants to fire Romania's top police officer, Bogdan Despescu, but Tudose has blocked that.

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