Romanian president wins trial against Romania's wealthiest Dinu Patriciu on pre-election footage scandal

Romanian president Traian Basescu has recently won a trial against Romania's richest business person Dinu Patriciu. The president went to court against Patriciu, who had commented on a footage showing Basescu allegedly hitting a child during the 2004 elections campaign. The footage was broadcasted in 2009 on major TV channels in Romania, a couple of days before the presidential elections. It has stirred great debate in the media and triggered comments from various politicians and even business people.

Traian Basescu was represented by Tuca, Zbarcea & Asociatii law firm in Romania. The Romanian president has asked and received a symbolic compensation of RON 0.5 for insubstantial allegations. The court decision also has to be published in two national newspapers in two consecutive issues. Patriciu plans to appeal the decision. The businessman also started a trial against the Romanian president in 2009, asking for damages of EUR 1. A verdict is yet to be reached in this trial. editor@romania-insider.com