Romanian President Traian Basescu on Thursday denied involvement in a corruption case after a film emerged of his brother apparently admitting to taking a bribe to intervene in a mobster's murder trial.
The president's statement came a day after local TV station Antena 3 broadcast excerpts of a video in which his brother, Mircea Basescu, appeared to admit receiving 250,000 euros ($340,000) to intercede on behalf of Sandu Anghel, who was on trial for attempted murder.
Mircea Basescu, 60, was taken into custody by anti-corruption prosecutors just hours after the president's remarks.
The prosecutors said they would seek a 30-day arrest warrant.
In the footage shown by Antena 3, Mircea Basescu appeared to say the president was aware of the deal.
"I have never talked with my brother about backing Sandu Anghel in the trials he was facing," Basescu told journalists.
"I urge the policemen, prosecutors or judges who were in charge of this case to say if there was the slightest interference from me or on my behalf."
Anghel was ultimately sentenced to eight years and nine months in jail by the Supreme Court in May, which the president said was proof there had been no interference.
"I am confident the judiciary will solve this case. If my brother violated the law, he will go before a court, just like any other citizen," he said.
"I can assure you that between the need to strengthen the judiciary and the natural urge to defend my brother I will always choose the former."
But the ruling Social Democrats called on Basescu to resign in order to "safeguard the prestige of the judiciary."
Mircea Basescu had earlier in the day released a statement saying the video had been manipulated.
"The excerpts that were broadcast were taken out of context and rearranged so as to suggest there was a link between the remarks about the money and the discussion about Sandu Anghel's trial," he said.
He added that additional evidence, including a video made by prosecutors and secret service agents would set things straight, "showing the real nature of the relations" between himself and Anghel.
He is currently suing members of Anghel's family for allegedly blackmailing him over the pay-off claims.
Romania's judiciary is closely monitored by the European Union, which the country joined in 2007.
A former prime minister and several ministers have been sentenced to prison for corruption in recent years, an unprecedented move in the former communist country.
Romanian President Traian Basescu on Thursday denied involvement in a corruption case after a film emerged of his brother apparently admitting to taking a bribe to intervene in a mobster’s murder trial.
The president’s statement came a day after local TV station Antena 3 broadcast excerpts of a video in which his brother, Mircea Basescu, appeared to admit receiving 250,000 euros ($340,000) to intercede on behalf of Sandu Anghel, who was on trial for attempted murder.
Mircea Basescu, 60, was taken into custody by anti-corruption prosecutors just hours after the president’s remarks.
The prosecutors said they would seek a 30-day arrest warrant.
In the footage shown by Antena 3, Mircea Basescu appeared to say the president was aware of the deal.
“I have never talked with my brother about backing Sandu Anghel in the trials he was facing,” Basescu told journalists.
“I urge the policemen, prosecutors or judges who were in charge of this case to say if there was the slightest interference from me or on my behalf.”
Anghel was ultimately sentenced to eight years and nine months in jail by the Supreme Court in May, which the president said was proof there had been no interference.
“I am confident the judiciary will solve this case. If my brother violated the law, he will go before a court, just like any other citizen,” he said.
“I can assure you that between the need to strengthen the judiciary and the natural urge to defend my brother I will always choose the former.”
But the ruling Social Democrats called on Basescu to resign in order to “safeguard the prestige of the judiciary.”
Mircea Basescu had earlier in the day released a statement saying the video had been manipulated.
“The excerpts that were broadcast were taken out of context and rearranged so as to suggest there was a link between the remarks about the money and the discussion about Sandu Anghel’s trial,” he said.
He added that additional evidence, including a video made by prosecutors and secret service agents would set things straight, “showing the real nature of the relations” between himself and Anghel.
He is currently suing members of Anghel’s family for allegedly blackmailing him over the pay-off claims.
Romania’s judiciary is closely monitored by the European Union, which the country joined in 2007.
A former prime minister and several ministers have been sentenced to prison for corruption in recent years, an unprecedented move in the former communist country.
