French teacher brings knife to class in Vaslui school, faces criminal probe

At Adrian Porumboiu Middle School in the commune of Muntenii de Jos, Vaslui County, French teacher Cătălin Afrăsinei entered the classroom carrying a knife. He showed the weapon to pupils and the school director, who promptly alerted law enforcement. Police arrived, confiscated the knife and opened a criminal file for unlawful possession of a dangerous item, with the case overseen by the prosecutor's office attached to the Vaslui Court.

Afrăsinei initially said the knife was for personal protection, citing recent incidents in Bistrița and Pitești, then altered his explanation to claim it was for cleaning mud from footwear. The County School Inspectorate has started an internal probe and suspended the teacher while further facts are determined. Parents have voiced concerns over his conduct, including alleged class disruptions and inappropriate filming requests. Afrăsinei previously sought protective orders against public figures Mircea Cărtărescu, Andrei Pleșu and Gabriel Liiceanu, alleging threats.