Bucharest Police has started an investigation after Romanian media mogul Adrian Sarbu was photographed without handcuffs on a street in the capital, while he was under preventive arrest.

All those involved in this event will be investigated for abuse of office and favoring the defendant, according to a statement from the police, cited by local Agerpres. A prosecutor will supervise the investigation.

In a statement issued on April 22, the police said that Sarbu, who is currently under preventive arrest, was taken to a hospital earlier this week. The two agents who escorted him are now being investigated for failing to respect the legal provisions after the businessman was photographed without handcuffs on a street in the capital.

Adrian Sarbu was arrested in early-February for tax evasion, money laundering and embezzlement.

The businessman owns the Mediafax Group, which includes Romania’s largest private news agency Mediafax and the largest daily business newspaper Ziarul Financiar.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com