BRD branch managers in custody in Romanian bank fraud case, but suspected ringleaders released on bail

Two branch managers of lender BRD, Romanians Adrian Martis and Andrei Nanu will remain under preventative arrest for 29 days, together with two other persons involved in the recent EUR 85 million bank fraud scandal, according to a decision of the Bucharest Court of Appeal. The two were leading the BRD branches Unirii and Dorobanti. Ioan Crestin and Marius Locic, suspected ringleaders, will, on the other hand, be investigated without being held in Police custody, according to the same decision. Only 4 out of the 13 preventative arrest proposals filed by the Organized Crime and Terrorism Investigation Department (DIICOT) were admitted by the Court of Appeal, but this decision can be challenged in the High Court of Cassation and Justice. Other lower-profile in-custody newcomers are Andrei Suditu and Claudia Maria Peter, the latter being considered one of the lieutenants of Vasile Crestin, a suspected ringleader’s brother, and the hand at work in carrying out the orders of the two BRD managers. The number of arrests made in the case so far has reached 11, while another 9 persons have only been placed under an order not to leave the country for the duration of the investigation. Three proposals for the issuing of in absentia arrest warrants are to receive a court answer on December 17. DIICOT made 20 arrests in this case on Friday, holding all suspects in custody for 24 hours. The list of suspected bank fraudsters who spent a night in jail on this occasion includes: Daniel Sandu, Diana Mihaela Gireadă (evaluator), Sava Tipa, Ioan Repede, Alexandru Ploscaru, Bogdan Florin Dinu, Livia Bobu, Adrian Martis (General Manager of BRD Unirea), Andrei Nanu (Commercial Manager of BRD Dorobanţi), Elena Blaga, Orlando Ionut Ghiorghe (evaluator), Andrei Suditu, Niculae Sandu, Ioan Crestin, Dumitru Benga, Vranceanu Jenica Barbu, Marius Locic, Liliana Liuba Alexandrescu (notary), Claudia Maria Peter and Camilia Damiela Pop (notary). DIICOT also submitted proposals for all suspects to remain in preventative arrest for another 29 days. Ioana Jelea ioana.jelea@romania-insider.com