Mircea Băsescu, brother of President Traian Băsescu, was arrested last month for allegedly accepting US$340,000 to influence magistrates to reduce the prison sentence of crime boss Sandu Anghel. Anghel, also known as “Bercea the Global”, was sentenced in 2011 to eight years and nine months in prison for attempted murder after stabbing and almost killing his 17-year-old nephew in a bar. According to The Economist, Mircea Băsescu is the godfather of one of Anghel’s granddaughters.
Mircea Băsescu and an alleged accomplice, Marian Capatana, were indicted following a 30-day court-ordered detainment resulting from questioning by the National Anti-Corruption Directorate, according to Romania-Insider.
Capatana, charged as an accessory to influence peddling, is accused of acting as an intermediary in the transaction between Băsescu and Anghel’s son Florin. The son implicated Băsescu after Băsescu brought a blackmail suit against him.
Traian Băsescu, elected in 2004 on an anti-corruption platform, has been accused of only targeting corruption in opposing parties, The Economist reports. The president has ignored calls from Prime Minister Victor Ponto for his resignation, but he will not be a candidate in November’s presidential election due to term limits.
Reuters reports that Mircea Băsescu will face trial in Constanta, which is both his and Anghel’s hometown, although no court date has been set.
