Bucharest exclusive clubs and restaurants under DIICOT investigation
Prosecutors of Romania’s Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) raided luxury clubs and restaurants in the capital Bucharest early on Thursday. Tens of searches are underway in such exclusive locations as Chocolat, Trattoria Il Calcio, Fratelli, Le Club and Cosa Nostra Art. Some 112 people including foreigners are expected to answer questions as 15 of them are already suspected of tax evasion and money laundring. Prosecutors allege that in a period between 2006 – 2008, restaurant owners and their associates bought an accounting software from S.C. Solutions Center in the Romanian Black Sea port of Constantza allowing a dual accounting: one real and the other fictional. The fraud may hit more than 500,000 euros.
Romania’s Finance Ministry and ANAF face protests
Protests were reported on Thursday at the headquarters of Romania’s Finance Ministry and ANAF, the country’s National Agency for Fiscal Administration. Hundreds of protesters, trade unionists of the Sed Lex trade union and people working in the financial sector, called for the resignation of ANAF president Gelu Ştefan Diaconu for abuse of office. Mr. Diaconu rejected any talks with Sed Lex leader Vasile Marica while accusing him of seeking to destabilise a state institution of crucial importance. As far as his resignation was concerned, the ANAF chief pointed out that a decision on the matter belonged to the prime minister.
Former Romanian minister appears before DNA prosecutors
A former Romanian minister and presidential hopeful appeared before prosecutors with Romania’s National Anti-Corruption Directrate (DNA) on Thursday. Elena Udrea, who has been released under judicial control on bail, was expected to answer questions concerning her alleged involvement in a corruption-related case. Ms. Udrea told reporters it was unlikely she could pay the bail of RON 5 ml. ordered for her release. The former minister is under investigation for bribery, influence peddling and money laundring as she allegedly received $5 ml. from Bogdan Buzăianu, a local businessman who wanted her to help him win an energy contract.
Radio Romania’s Gaudeamus Book Fair at its 22nd edition
Hundreds of thousands of books with many at their first edition and 700 events and workshops – these are only a few of the trends marking the 22nd edition of the Gaudeamus Fair – a Learning Book, organised by Radio Romania opening at the Romexpo Pavilion in Romania’s capital Bucharest. Further details are expected at a press conference on Thursday. Opening on November 18th, the Gaudeamus Book Fair will close its doors on November 22nd. „The most read books at the most-listened-to radio”, the fair’s slogan says.
Alexandru Danga – RADOR
