The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) carried out on Tuesday five searches in Bucharest as part of an investigation into an EUR 8 million fraud with EU funds for the purchase of medical equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic, the EPPO announced in a statement.In the period 2020 - 2022, a criminal network was formed to manipulate the public procurement of protective masks, disinfectants and other medical supplies for hospitals, schools and other municipal state facilities, so as to benefit predetermined suppliers, which are understood to have been part of the scheme. Three individuals under investigation have been brought to the EPPO's office in Bucharest to be informed of their status as suspects.The supply of the medical equipment was funded by the programme Recovery assistance for cohesion and the territories of Europe (REACT-EU). It is estimated that the activities documented so far in the investigation caused the EU budget a damage of over EUR 8 million. The investigation is ongoing, in order to ascertain the extent of the suspected criminal activities and the overall financial damage caused.The investigation and the searches are conducted with the support of the EPPO Support Structure in Romania, the Romanian Police - Special Operations Directorate, Romania's Anti-Corruption General Directorate, and the Special Intervention Brigade of the Romanian Gendarmerie.
The Arts Hour on Tour, the BBC World Service arts and culture program that visits cities all over the world, will be in Bucharest next week to record a show on topics relating to the cultural life in the city and Romania. Television and radio broadcaster Nikki Bedi, who curates, writes, and presents the program, […]
Romanian prime minister Marcel Ciolacu recently stated during an interview that foreign minister Emil Hureaznu will be replaced if he continues to send messages to private individuals, such as those addressed to Elon Musk, without consulting him. The warning comes after Emil Hurezeanu stated on Saturday, February 22, that Elon Musk’s support for Călin Georgescu […]
Romanian state-controlled gas producer Romgaz (BVB: SNG) reported a net profit of RON 3.22 bln (EUR 647 mln) in 2024, up 14.5% compared with the previous year. The company’s revenues went down by 11.9% to RON 7.93 bln (EUR 1.6 bln) because of lower...
The Romanian Parliament rejected the no-confidence motion initiated by far-right parties AUR, SOS Romania, and POT against the government led by Social Democrat prime minister Marcel Ciolacu. The motion received 147 votes in favor and one against during the lawmakers' meeting on Friday, February 28 - a figure lower than the 155 signatures with which […]
Nuclearelectrica (BVB: SNN), the company that operates Romania’s only nuclear power plant – Cernavoda, reported a net profit of RON 1.7 bln (EUR 343 mln) in 2024, down 31% compared with the previous year. The company recorded 37.6% lower revenues from electricity sales due to lower average...
In his first press conference since becoming interim president, held on Friday, February 28, Ilie Bolojan said that discussing peacekeeping troops in Ukraine is premature, since no peace agreement was reached. He also discussed increasing Romania’s defense spending, the relationship with the United States, and the reconstruction of Ukraine. The press conference was organised after Ilie […]
