Mihai Barbu, suspended “from all positions held” within the PNL “during the application of judicial control”
Michael Barbu. Inquam Photos / George Calin
PNL announced the suspension of Mihai Barbu “from all positions held within the party”, on Thursday evening, in the context of the DNA file targeting him.
On Thursday, the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) placed Mihai Barbu under judicial control for a period of 60 days.
“Following the measures ordered by the criminal investigation bodies regarding Mihai Barbu, he is suspended, with immediate effect, from all positions held within the party, including the capacity of president of PNL Vaslui and that of treasurer of PNL, for the duration of the application of judicial control”, declared PNL, on Thursday evening, in a press release.
PNL claims that “it will analyze the situation of Mihai Barbu according to the evolution of the file and the subsequent legal clarifications”.
“The party remains firmly committed to respecting the law, integrity and ethical standards that it promotes in political and public activity. The National Liberal Party respects the principle of the presumption of innocence, as well as the independence of judicial institutions,” the information sent by the PNL Press Office also states.
Mihai Barbu, placed under judicial control for 60 days
Barbu, who is also the president of the Railway Reform Authority, is accused by the DNA of committing the crime of using influence or authority in order to obtain money, goods or other improper benefits for himself or for another.
Specifically, he is accused by the prosecutors that, in order to facilitate the businessman Fănel Bogos to obtain compensation of 3 million euros from the Veterinary Sanitary and Food Safety Directorate (DSVSA) Vaslui, starting from February he “exercised his political influence and authority to mediate a meeting” of the businessman “with high state officials, the director of ANSVSA and various politicians and, at the same time, he exerted pressure on to the director of ANSVSA”.
According to DNA, Mihai Barbu promised Fănel Bogos that “he will force the director of DSVSA Vaslui to cancel the measures taken by the officials of DSVSA Vaslui regarding the irregularities found within the farms owned by the latter's company or, if this is not possible, that he will take steps to dismiss that person from the position of director of DSVSA Vaslui”.
PNL head Vaslui is the one who got the businessman Fănel Bogos access to Ilie Bolojan, prime minister and PNL leader. The government confirmed that the prime minister met with Bogos, but claims that the discussion “had no consequences”.
Barbu stated on Antena 3 CNN that he wanted to introduce the Vaslui businessman Fănel Bogos to Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, but claims that the purpose of the meeting was not to save the businessman from his problems.
