Romanian football boss Becali moved to new jail, to serve time under open prison status

Romanian businessman and football boss Gigi Becali, who is currently serving time in the Jilava prison near Bucharest, will be transferred to the Poarta Alba jail in Constanta county, where his detention status will change to 'open'. This will allow him to work outside the jail, meaning he can supervise fellow inmates who work outside the jail house, according to Mediafax newswire. The new detention regime does not allow him to go home, but he can receive more visits and more packages. He can also get involved in education and cultural and therapeutic activities outside the jail, without being supervised. Becali, 55, owner of Steaua football club, is currently serving a three and a half year jail sentence for corruption in a land exchange deal, kidnapping and football match fixing via bribery. He has already served seven months of his sentence. After two and a half years, he can ask for early release, as well as for a shortening of his sentence if he writes scientific papers. He is currently awaiting two separate court hearings, set for December 9 and 11, including a case where he is accused of discrimination against homosexuals. editor@romania-insider.com