Romanian PM Expected For Hearings In Lawsuit Filed Against Him By Ex-PM

Tariceanu sued Boc over the statements the latter made regarding the contract concluded by the Romanian state with the company Sterling. Boc's defense argued in court that Boc's statements were made during a political speech.

Tariceanu said Boc lied and showed ill will in his statements regarding the Government Decision by which Romanian resources were leased to Sterling Resources. Specifically, Tariceanu said Boc's statements were made in connection with Government Decision 1,446/2008, approving Additional Act 11 to the Contract for the mining and division of production for perimeters XIII Pelican and XV Midia, concluded between the Romanian National Agency for Mineral Resources and Sterling Resources Ltd.

On the other hand, the report issued by the Control Body of the Prime Minister points to Government Secretary General Gabriel Berca and secretary of state within the Ministry of Economy Catalin Doica as sole parties responsible in the transaction. Tariceanu's name is not mentioned in the report.

The conclusions of the report in the Sterling case show that the agreement with the Canadian company was a PSA (Production Sharing Agreement), through which the state hires an investor to perform certain works in the state's favor, at the risk and expense of the contractor.

Wednesday, Boc is expected before the judge.

Boc's lawyers base the defense on the fact that Boc's statements are not illegal, since they were part of a political discourse on an issue of public interest, and freedom of expression applies with greater liberty in the political speech.

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