DNA prosecutors ask for three years' jail time for Senate chairman Tariceanu

DNA prosecutors ask for three years’ jail time for Senate chairman Tariceanu

Prosecutors of the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) have asked for a three years’ jail sentence for Senate chairman Calin Popescu Tariceanu.

Tariceanu, who is also chairman of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE) , part of the ruling coalition, is accused of forgery and favouring the alleged perpetrator.

The sentence will be announced on 22 May. Tariceanu has declined to comment. The court’s decision will not be final.

Calin Popescu-Tariceanu was sent to court by the DNA on 7 July 2016 after he was accused of false testimony and favouring the offender.

Tariceanu is accused in a case relating to the unlawful restitution of an area in the Snagov forest and the Baneasa Farm. In the case, Tariceanu, on 15 April 2016, while under oath, misrepresented the truth with regard to the essential aspects of the case. Hence, he prevented/hindered the prosecution of the defendants investigated in the case.

Prosecutors state that Tariceanu unrealistically claimed that he had no knowledge of the restitution to Paul Philippe of Romania of land plots in Baneasa (the former royal farm) and Snagov (Fund of the Forest), about the involvement of defendants Tal Silberstein, Beny Steinmetz, Moshe Agavi and other persons in the restitution proceedings, nor about the sale or purchase acts for these goods.