Romanian businessman Dinu Patriciu was acquitted in the Rompetrol case in which he was accused for undemining economy using embezzlement, money laundering and stock market manipulation.

Also the other 11 defendants including Sorin Roşca Stănescu, Sorin Pantiş şi Gabriela Anghelache were cleared of corruption charges the same case. Prosecutors have already appealed the decision taken by the judges of the Bucharest Court and the final verdict will be given by Romania's High Court.

During the 18th of June hearing, the prosecutor demanded judges to sentence Patriciu to a maximum statutory penalty: 20 years in prison, writes Capital.

Patriciu was charged with seven economic crimes, including embezzlement, fraud, money laundering and stock market manipulation. For these offenses, the law provides a punishment of 10 to 20 years in prison, and prosecutors asked for the maximum penalty.

The prosecutors demanded also the seizure of 9 million Euro from Patricu and other defendant's fortune in Rompetrol file for recovery of damages caused by money laundering. Moreover, the prosecutors estimated the total damage brought to the state at 85 million euros.

Patriciu was charged also for trying to thwart the criminal investigations and designation of an organized criminal group.

Foxcrawl.com              28/08/2012