Romanian President Sues Journalist, Media Trust For Libel

The presidential staff says the head of state sued Oprea for having written several articles containing false information, and will withdraw his claim if the journalist “expresses his regret for the situation created,” according to a press release issued by the Presidency.

Representatives of the presidential staff repeatedly signaled to Oprea the ”inexistence” of some of the information contained in the articles written by him, the statement read.

According to data published on the court’s site, Basescu filed a complaint on September 17 against Oprea and the media trust Realitatea-Catavencu, owner of “Cotidianul” daily Oprea writes his stories for.

Oprea confirmed for Mediafax Friday that he received a subpoena in the case.

He said Basescu believes his story published Sept. 5 “Traian Basescu, plausible deniability of supervising PDL-PRM barter” has “seriously hurt” his right to honor and reputation.

According to the subpoena sent to Oprescu, the head of state feels his official rank was questioned by Oprescu’s story.

In the story published by “Cotodianul”, Oprescu made comments on a recent scandal following a political alliance between the Democratic Liberal Party, or PDL and the Greater Romania Party, or PRM.

Basescu, former leader of the democrats, said that he felt “humiliated” when he learned about the agreement and that he had nothing to do with it.

Oprescu’s story, however, implied the head of state knew about the political deal between the two parties.

The first court date is due October 31.

The president is represented by a private law firm.