BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romanian prosecutors said on Wednesday they had opened a criminal investigation into former president Traian Basescu over threats he made to a senator while still head of state.
Last year Basescu warned leftist senator Gabriela Firea on television to mind her own business and to take care of her husband, Florentin Pandele, the mayor of a small Romanian town near the capital Bucharest.
Basescu, who is from the center-right, then said Firea "might not find him at home one day if she is not careful".
Firea, then spokeswoman for leftist Prime Minister Victor Ponta's failed 2014 presidential campaign, said the comments were "clearly aimed at threatening a senator and humiliating a citizen of this country" and she filed a complaint.
Basescu, an outspoken former sea captain who served as president from 2004 to 2014, lost his immunity from prosecution after stepping down as head of state.
"In the case that started as a result of the complaint filed by Gabriela Firea ... prosecutors have proceeded with a criminal investigation on suspicion of committing blackmail," the Prosecutor General's office said in a statement.
"Traian Basescu came to the prosecutors' headquarters today to be notified of the charges and his defenders have requested a deadline to study the file."
Basescu declined all comment. He has previously called Firea a "blackmailer".
He has a track record of inflammatory comments and accusations. In 2007, in a private conversation with his wife that was recorded, Basescu called a reporter a "filthy gypsy" and was reprimanded by the national anti-discrimination office.
The case is also the latest in a series of setbacks for Basescu, whose brother is under investigation for allegedly taking a bribe to help keep an underworld boss out of jail.
His former protege and presidential candidate Elena Udrea is also under investigation for graft amid an ongoing crackdown on high-level corruption. Udrea has denied wrongdoing.
In a separate case, prosecutors are also looking at the circumstances under which one of Basescu's daughters purchased farm land.
(Reporting by Luiza Ilie; Editing by Gareth Jones)
The countdown is on until the start of the largest local fest, Transilvania International Film Festival on 13 June. Or, as everyone calls it: TIFF. To pass the time and (or) have an alternative, do not miss some of the most entertaining stories of all time courtesy of suspense master Alfred Hitchcock. And check out […]
Roughly 45.7% of Romanians believe the country’s May presidential elections were rather unfairly organized, while 50.4% believe they were fair, according to a survey by INSCOP Research. Romania's previous presidential elections, which saw centrist Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan emerge victorious, saw extreme polarization. Immediately after...
CARFIL Brasov, central Romania, is set to begin production of three types of Romanian military UAVs this year, news agency Agerpres reported. The drones, named Cuda, Sirin, and a marine drone, were unveiled at the Southeast Europe Special Operations Forces Forum 2025 (SEESOF) in Targu Mures, the first international expo-forum dedicated to the special operations forces. ...
The National Meteorological Administration of Romania, or ANM, aims to become a European regional hub for professional training in the field of climate change, according to director general Elena Mateescu. The official noted during “The Future of Agriculture” forum held on Thursday, June 5, that the ANM has already completed the European Agrometeorology Center, which […]
Romania’s Interior Ministry (MAI) and Defense Ministry (MApN) have warned of ongoing disinformation campaigns on social media aimed at manipulating public opinion. The latest wave of false claims includes reports about the imposition of martial law and border closures, seeking to heighten public anxiety over the risk of war. Romanians, whether abroad or within the […]
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) issued new recommendations to Romania, among which is an increase in VAT, but also excise duties, dividend taxes, and the introduction of two income tax rates of 15% and 25%. At the same time, it recommends the reduction or elimination of the health insurance contribution, as well as a change in […]
