Romania’s anticorruption prosecutors have indicted Paul Lambrino, the nephew of Romania’s King Carol II, local businessman Remus Truica, and media owner Dan Andronic for the illegal restitution of the Baneasa Royal Farm.

Truica was charged with setting up a criminal group, influence peddling, money laundering, complicity to abuse of office, and bribery. Prince Paul was charged with buying influence, money laundering, and complicity to abuse of office. Both Truica and Lambrino are under house arrest.

Dan Andronic, the owner of Evenimentul Zilei newspaper, was also indicted for complicity to influence peddling.

Some 20 other persons, including Israeli billionaire Benyamin Steinmetz, will be sent to court on various charges in this case, in which the prosecutors have determined EUR 145 million damages to the state.

Paul Lambrino, who is the nephew of Romania’s King Carol II, illegally claimed the Royal Farm and approached Remus Truica to find a solution, according to the prosecutors. Truica, together with the other defendants, bribed the management of a research institute that held the plot of the Baneasa Farm to accept the restitution.

The National Anticorruption Directorate asked again for the temporary arrest of Israeli investors Benyamin "Benny" Steinmetz, Tal Silberstein, and Moshe Agavi. In April, the High Court of Cassation and Justice refused to approve the temporary detention of the Israeli investors, which had been demanded by DNA.

Romanian businessmen, newspaper director, business lawyer, arrested in illegal retrocession case

Royalty behind bars: Prince Paul of Romania arrested in illegal retrocession case

editor@romania-insider.com