Romania’s National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) has indicted Senate speaker Calin Popescu Tariceanu for perjury and for facilitating the perpetrators in a large-scale corruption case, DNA announced in a note on July 7.

Tariceanu was an influential member of the National Liberal Party (PNL) until 2014, when the PNL ended its alliance with the left-wing Social Democratic Party (PSD). Since then, he has set up his own party, of liberal orientation.

During his testimony, on April 15 this year, Tariceanu made false statements and hid facts, which he was informed and aware of, with the purpose of preventing the prosecution of third parties in a fraudulent property restitution case, according to prosecutors. The fraudulent restitution caused financial damage of more than €135mn.

Tariceanu declared that he was not familiar with the purchase of property claims by Tal Silberstein, Remus Truică and several others, from Prince Paul of Romania, a descendent of Romania’s royal house. Tariceanu also claimed he had not discussed the fees to be paid to a public notary with Truica. He denied that he had introduced Silberstein to other top Romanian politicians or maintained a close relationship with Silberstein and others involved in the deal.

A Bucharest court ruled in 2012 that Prince Paul (Paul Philippe Al României – not a member of Royal House but son of former King Carol II) was entitled to an important part of the fortune of Carol II (1930-1940), who abdicated twice. Baneasa Farm and part of Snagov Forest are among the properties claimed by Prince Paul.