The former chief of the Siret Border Police, Nelu Fediuc, was detained for 24 hours between last weekend, being accused of taking bribes and influencing statements.

According to a statement of the National Anticorruption Department (DNA), between 2008 and 2012, Fediuc, from his position, provided protection for several people that were smuggling cigarettes via the Siret customs point.

In order to benefit from this protection, those people had to pay a monthly fee set at first at USD 200. However, Nelu Fediuc asked for higher fees, USD 500 - 1,000 per month.

“In exchange for the same “protection”, between February-August 2008, the defendant Nelu Fediuc also benefited from sexual favors from a witness,” reads the DNA statement.

Moreover, in September 2008, Fediuc tried to convince the same witness withdraw the denunciation made against him in the case for which he was indicted, offering EUR 12,000 in return. However, the woman refused the money.

Between June-July 2014, through the defendant Robu Gheorghe, indicted in the same case for corruption, he tried to convince other witnesses, through intimidation, to withdraw the denunciation made against him, according to prosecutors.

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