The mayor of Sinaia, Vlad Oprea, was detained on Thursday by the prosecutors of the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) in a corruption case.
According to sources cited by news agencies, the mayor was detained as a suspect.
Vlad Oprea was taken to the central headquarters of the DNA on Thursday morning to be questioned. During the night, he was taken to the hospital by ambulance after feeling unwell.
He is set to be taken to his office at the Sinaia City Hall to participate in the searches that will take place on Thursday.
The DNA prosecutors also conducted searches on Wednesday at the City Hall of Sinaia, at the mayor's residence, at an associate of his, and at the head of the Sinaia Local Police.
According to judicial sources, Vlad Oprea allegedly demanded from Vladimir Ciorbă and indirectly received nearly 240,000 euros in bribes from representatives of the company SC Nordis Best Construct to facilitate obtaining the necessary documentation for the construction of a hotel/aparthotel in the city.
The sources cited indicate that Oprea is accused of bribery, conducting financial transactions as commercial acts incompatible with the function, assignment, or task performed by a person, or concluding financial transactions using information obtained in the exercise of his function, assignment, or task, abuse of office, and money laundering.
The mayor allegedly requested and received, in two installments, a total amount of 238,000 euros to facilitate the approval for the construction of a hotel in Sinaia, as well as to facilitate the issuance of the urban planning certificate and building permit, and other necessary approvals for the investment.
Additionally, between 2021 and 2024, Vlad Oprea allegedly owned and managed, through intermediaries, the company Privacons SRL and repeatedly conducted financial transactions as commercial acts, actions incompatible with the position held, thereby obtaining undue benefits for himself or others, as indicated by judicial sources.
Furthermore, Vlad Oprea is accused of allowing unauthorized provision of public catering services for a restaurant in Sinaia between July 2019 and January 2024 to obtain undue benefits.
The searches come after an investigation published by Recorder journalists in 2024, under the title "Carpathian Cartel." The journalists reported on properties owned by Oprea through intermediaries, including a castle in France, the villa he built in Sinaia in an area considered an architectural reserve, benefiting from a private road with Oprea as the sole user, rigged tenders, involvement of a company owned on paper by the mayor's mother in various businesses, and close associates placed in key positions.
Oprea is serving his sixth term as mayor of Sinaia, having been elected with over 47% of the votes.