Romanian Court Rules To Release Football Corruption Suspects

Magistrates within the Arges Court rejected as inadmissible the request issued by anticorruption prosecutors for the extension of arrest warrants issued in the names of football club FC Arges financer Cornel Penescu, former Arges Consumer Protection Office director Cristian Libertatu, Pic store director Liviu Facaleata, former Central Referee Committee (CCA) president Gheorghe Constantin and CCA vice-president Marcel Lica.

The magistrates did, however, impose several restrictions for the five, such as the obligation not to leave their town of residence and to appear before investigators whenever they are called. In addition, the five are not allowed to come into contact with the other suspects in the case, nor with their families. At the same time, the five suspects to be released are not allowed to practice their profession.

The Arges Court decision is not final and has already been appealed by anticorruption prosecutors. The appeal will be tried Tuesday by the Pitesti Court of Appeals.

Following the court's ruling, the five were taken to the Arges County Police precinct, in handcuffs.

Upon leaving the court, Libertatu said he is ill, prompting the call for an ambulance. However, Libertatu started feeling better before the arrival of the ambulance, and he was soon put in the police van.

The arrest warrants for Penescu, Constantin, Facaleata and Libertatu expire on May 12.
 

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