Mircea Geoana’s brother-in-law, Ionuț Costea, former Eximbank President, was detained today in Istanbul, Turkey, Digi24 reports.
“Today, February 5, following the exchange of data and information carried out by the Sirene Bureau within the International Police Cooperation Center – I.G.P.R. with external partners, namely the Turkish authorities, a 64-year-old man, internationally wanted for the crime of bribery, was located in Istanbul. He has been issued, by the Bucharest Court, in his name, a warrant for the execution of a 6-year prison sentence. Currently, the judicial procedures are being completed for the execution of the warrant,” a press release from the Romanian Police states.
Ionuț Costea, former director of Eximbank, was sentenced in 2023 to six years in prison for complicity in bribery. Also at that time, the judges decided to confiscate 2 million euros and 3 million lei from Costea.
Costea fled the country and was immediately pursued by the police after the announcement of the conviction. In February 2024, the Minister of Justice, Alina Gorghiu, had announced that he would be extradited “rapidly” from Turkey.