New charges against Paul of Romania, businessman Truică in the illegal forest retrocessions case

The investigation on the case of the illegal forest retrocessions targeting Paul of Romania (Paul Philippe or Paul Lambrino) and businessman Remus Truică has been extended on Thursday, with prosecutors bringing new charges against them. The amount of the prejudice also increased to over EUR 9.5m.

The file refers to another illegal retrocession of 47 hectares of woods in Snagov, near Bucharest. Paul is prosecuted for complicity to abuse of office, while Truică for complicity to abuse of office and money laundering.

Paul and Truica are under house arrest in Baneasa Farm case, the Ilfov prefect Nicolae Jecu and Snagov former mayor Musat Apostol are prosecuted under judicial control, while the technical manager of the Ilfov Forest Direction Theodor Chiriac is behind bars. The total damages in this file mount to EUR 130 million.

The anti-corruption prosecutors say that starting with 2006, Prince Paul Philippe promised to Remus Truică and his associates a major share ranging from 50 % to 80% out of the value of the goods he had claimed in Romania. These shares have been paid subsequently as Paul was receiving the properties.

During September-November 2005 Paul of Romania filed a request at Snagov City Hall asking for the retrocessions of 47-ha forest land located in Snagov, while on March 9, 2006 the city hall decided that Paul Philippe is entitled to receive the right of property over this plot of land. He became the effective owner of the land in the summer of. 2007

Read further details of the case here.