Law enforcement officials announce on Thursday, June 30, that at the request of the Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases (PCCOCS), the investigating judge authorized the application of seizure of about 150,000,000 lei on assets forming the share capital of the company that manages the Giurgiulesti Free International Port. The company in question is Danube Logistics SRL.

According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, the criminal case was initiated in 2020 and concerns embezzlement of foreign assets by former decision-makers within Bemol.

“More specifically, the criminal case concerns allegedly illegal actions underlying the takeover of the management of the port,” lawmen point out.

As a result of the investigation, in June 2022, a person with a decision-making role was indicted by PCCOCS prosecutors. The seizure applied is aimed at preventing the alienation of assets and ensuring reparation for the damage caused, the prosecution says. Prosecution proceedings are continuing with a view to investigating the whole range of offences covered by the criminal case.

On 7 May 2021, the EBRD became the sole legal beneficial owner of the operator of the Port of Giurgiulesti. The EBRD acquired 100% of the capital of the Danube Logistics group of companies. Through its acquisition, the EBRD aimed to promote the continued operation of the port and attract international investors to support and further develop this key infrastructure asset.