Romanian entrepreneur Ioan Neculaie , who owns the FC Brasov football club, has been recently sentenced to four years in jail by the Brasov court, for having built a construction on a piece of land he didn't own, according to Romanian daily Gandul. Neculaie's lawyers have already appealed this decision. Neculaie will not serve time in jail, but rather be under judiciary observance, meaning he won't be allowed to vote and will have to notify the court of every change in his home or work details, as well as give details about his financial gains.

According to the Romanian businessman, the court decision was given by a judge who holds a grudge against him. “For a sidewalk moved a couple of meters, only a mad person could have given this decision,” said Neculaie.

The other party in the trial is the Brasov - based businessman Ion Olaru, who filed a complaint seven years ago. According to Olaru, Neculaie, who had just opened a hotel in Poiana Brasov resort in 2004, hadalso built a pool and a conference room adjoining the hotel, on a land plot which was 80 percent owned by Olaru.

editor@romania-insider.com