Romania denies reports of secret CIA prisons in its territory

Romania denied the reports that it hosted a secret prison of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Bucharest, saying the allegations groundless, Foreign Ministry spokesman Alin Serbanescu said on Thursday.

The New York Times reported on Thursday that a newly-decorated building on a busy street in Bucharest was one of secret CIA prisons in Eastern Europe.

Serbanescu said that the Romanian parliament has established a special investigation committee to probe the allegations and the committee has found the reports groundless.

The Romanian side has cooperated with the international agencies in a positive and transparent manner during the investigations, Serbanescu added.

Allegations that the CIA had established secret detention centers in Eastern Europe, including Romania, were first reported by the Washington Post in November 2005 and caused quite a stir. However, Romania has repeatedly denied such reports and established a commission in 2006 to investigate the allegation.