Air force chief fired after weapons theft in Romania

The Romanian defence minister said today he had fired the chief of the Air Force following the theft of weapons from an army depot.

Mihai Stanisoara said Air Force chief Constantin Croitoru was fired because the depot was under his responsibility.

Stanisoara said he also fired three officers responsible for guarding the weapons depot at Ciorogarla, which is just west of Bucharest.

He said pistols, automatic rifles and bayonets were stolen on Wednesday. He said military prosecutors were investigating and police have set up road blocks and checks at border crossings.