Romanian football team Steaua owner George Becali, former minister Victor Babiuc and former general Dumitru Cioflină, who were recently sentenced to jail time in a file concerning a land plot exchange in the early 90s already arrived at the Rahova prison in Bucharest. Becali turned himself in at the Police, while the other two waited to be taken from their homes. Becali, who will serve the longest sentence, three years in jail, tried to fly to Israel the night before the court decision was issued, saying he wanted to pray, but the Police stopped him on the airport. Becali, who is an MP but who does not have immunity in this case as it started before he became an MP, says he regretted giving up his MEP seat, which would have given him immunity. Becali and the two two convicted in this case will first stay for 21 days at the Quarantine Section, for evaluation and medical investigations, and then move to jail.

Babiuc and Cioflină got two years in prison, but according to Romanian media, they might in fact spend around 8 months there, if they show good behavior. Becali could spend just two years in jail in the end.

Becali had been previously convicted to three years in jail but without execution for kidnapping, and yesterday he received a two-year sentence, this time with mandatory jail time. By law, the biggest of the convictions must be served, so the businessman got three years in jail.

The land exchange file, which involved bribery, forgery and trading influence would have expired in summer next year, by Romanian law, if no definitive sentence was issued before. Yesterday's Supreme Court decision was final.

editor@romania-insider.com