Romanian President Requests Criminal Expertise Institute To Analyze Authenticity Of 2004 Rally Video

According to a Presidential Administration press release, Basescu asked the Criminal Expertise Institute to establish if the footage of him at a campaign rally in the city of Ploiesti in 2004 has been altered.

The Romanian daily „Gardianul” recently posted online a video, filmed in 2004 during the electoral campaign for the presidential elections, showing Basescu at a rally. Later in the clip, Basescu seems to strike a child across the face with the back of his fist, for undistinguishable reasons.

Basescu denied the allegations, saying the clip was altered and stressing he has never, in his entire life, struck a child.

Furthermore, one eyewitness, brought forth by Basescu’s campaign staff, said the event never happened, there was no contact and, thus, the child was never hit.