Romanian Football Mogul Becali Meets Anticorruption Prosecutors

Becali refused to talk to the media.

 

Late February, former defense Minster Victor Babiuc was heard in the same case by anticorruption prosecutors.

 

In 1999, Becali and Defense Ministry officials signed a minute for the exchange of two lands. Becali allegedly received a 20.9 hectare land in northern Bucharest in exchange for a 21.5 hectare land in Stefanestii de Jos village, near Bucharest.

 

Although relatively equal in terms of surface, the two lands’ market value differs considerably, according to a Defense Ministry report. While in northern Bucharest a square meter of land cost $20-25 at the time, in the village it cost only $6-7.  The price difference allegedly secured Becali a gain of $3.3 million.