Bucharest Court decided to arrest Roberto Ababei, the former deputy general manager of the Bucharest Police Department, for a period of 30 days. The National Anticorruption Directorate - DNA prosecutors held him on Wednesday evening on influence peddling charges.

According to a DNA statement, Roberto Ababei received a total of EUR 13,000 and food products from two company managers, between July 14 and August 6, 2015. In return, he promised them that he would use his influence on the police officers from the Economic Crime Investigation Service who were investigating alleged tax evasion offenses committed by the two businessmen.

He also made the businessmen believe that he has influence over a person with a managing position in the Bucharest Police.

Ababei was dismissed as deputy general manager of Bucharest Police on October 15, following the arrest. He took over this position in February 2013. Before that, he was the head of Bucharest District 2 Police.

Former Romanian chief prosecutor and tax agency head, detained for bribery

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com