ANAF to tender buildings seized from media mogul Voiculescu

Romania’s ANAF to tender buildings seized from Dan Voiculescu

Newsroom 22/02/2016 | 09:28

The tax administration agency ANAF will tender the buildings seized by the state in the case involving the fraudulent privatization of the Institute for Food Research (ICA).

The announcement was made after representatives of Antena TV Group met with the management of ANAF on Friday.

The tax agency had already posted an eviction notice for the five TV channels founded by Dan Voiculescu so as to leave the buildings that are in state hands.

The media mogul stated in a blog post that he “fully backs the enforcement of the law, but not through abuse” and that those representing the state “have to respect, especially in a state with the rule of law, the rights of citizens and to apply the law in its letter and spirit”.

Voiculescu received a 10-year prison sentence in August 2014, in the ICA case, in which he was accused of money laundering. The mogul had constantly rejected the allegations, saying that he was the victim of a political game of Traian Basescu, who was at that time the president of Romania.

Meanwhile, representatives of the Intact media conglomerate organized on Friday a protest, decrying the decision of ANAF against them. Around 5.000 people were gathered in square close to the Palace of Parliament, according to media reports.

All the stars of the Intact trust stood on a stage in front of protesters, and issued various messages. For instance TV host, Dana Grecu kneeled in front of the protesters, saying she loved her audience.