Romanian President’s Trial Against Paper, Businessman Over Campaign Video Postponed For June

A Romanian court adjourned for June 16 a trail in which Romanian President Traian Basescu sued businessman Dinu Patriciu and newspaper Gardianul for libel after they released a video in which Basescu appears to be striking a child during the presidential election campaign in 2004.

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Basescu said in November last year he is suing Patriciu and the newspaper's publisher, now undergoing bankruptcy, and demands one leu (EUR1=RON41484) as moral damages.

Basescu said the clip should have been thoroughly analyzed by experts before being released, arguing the management of Gardianul "was not even curious" to have expert judgment on that after the clip surfaced on the internet and in the media.

Patriciu countersued Basescu for calling him a liar and demands one euro in compensation.

The video in question was analyzed by Romania's National Institute of Forensics which concluded the recording is neither authentic nor an accurate copy of an authentic recording.

Romanian newspaper Gardianul posted online a video, filmed in 2004, which showed Basescu appearing to strike a child across the face with the back of his fist. Basescu, who was campaigning for reelection at the time the video was released denied the allegations, saying the clip was altered and stressing he has never, in his entire life, struck a child.

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