Traian Basescu prosecuted for money laundering

The General Prosecutor's Office (PG) has decided to prosecute former president Traian Basescu for money laundering in a criminal case on sale of land in Bucharest's northern neighbourhood of Baneasa to businessman Costel Casuneanu. 

Judicial sources say that Traian Basescu is to be summoned to the PG to be officially informed on the fact he is prosecuted. 

On 9 August 2000, when he was general mayor of Bucharest, Basescu has bought 3,700 square metres of land in Aleea Privighetorilor 86 for 1.4 billion old lei (then equivalent to approximately 70,000 dollars). On the same day, Casuneanu bought a nearbly plot of similar size for a threefold sum. 

Basescu eventually sold his property in October 2002 to Casuneanu's sister-in-law Gabriela Blaj for 12 billion old lei (300,000 dollars), and subsequently paid 280,000 dollars for a villa he later donated to his daughter, Ioana Basescu. 

The former President confirmed on Wednesday that he has been informed by the PG that he is suspect of money laundering. He asserted that the PG had closed the same case in June 2012. AGERPRES