Three police officers chose the wrong suspect to beat up in Romania's seaside city Constanta – an Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) investigator. In a case that reads like the script for an American crimes series, an undercover DNA operative attempted to sell drugs to undercover officers, to see whether they were protecting drug dealers in exchange for bribes. The DNA agent got a thrashing from the three officers that left the operative needing eight days of medical attention.

The incident took place on May 1, when both undercover police and the undercover DNA agent were prowling the beaches. The Court of Appeal has ordered the arrest of the three officers involved in the case. The police strip-searched the DNA agent and searched his hotel room, all of which was caught on a camera installed by the agent in the room.

General Prosecutor's Office spokesperson Ramona Bulcu told local media that the three police officers are charged with deprivation of liberty and assault.

In an interdepartmental war of words, the under cover police have accused the DNA of abusing its powers, while the DNA in turn condemns the actions of the police officers.

Subsequently, the Prosecutor's Office attached to the High Court of Cassation and Justice has started an investigation, and the officers were arrested on Friday (May 24). On Saturday, the three police officers received a 29-day arrest warrant.

editor@romania-insider.com