Romania ex-minister arrested over corruption charges
Romania’s former tourism minister and presidential candidate has been arrested over charges of financial corruption.
According to the Romanian anti-corruption prosecutor's office, Elena Udrea was arrested and questioned for 10 hours over allegations of financial corruption late Tuesday, AFP reported.
The prosecutors want the 41-year-old politician to be remanded in custody for at least 30 days while they complement their investigations.
Udrea is accused of money laundering and influence peddling in the illegitimate licensing of Microsoft software.
Romania’s anti-corruption prosecutors also said that Udrea had asked for a USD 564,000 bribe in return for giving preferential contracts while she served as the country’s tourism minister.
Udrea, who ran in Romania’s presidential elections in November and ranked fourth, categorically denies the allegations.
"You can handcuff Elena Udrea, but you cannot handcuff the truth," she said on Tuesday.
Udrea is also notorious for having a close relationship with Romania’s former conservative president, Traian Basescu, during his 2004-2014 term in office.
She served as Romania’s Tourism Minister from 2008 to 2009 and as Regional Development and Tourism minister from 2009 to 2012 in former Prime Minister Emil Boc’s cabinets.
FNR/AS/MHB
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