Court issues warrant for the arrest of missing Romanian investor Sebastian Ghita

Romania’s High Court of Cassation and Justice issued yesterday a warrant for the arrest of former MP Sebastian Ghita, who is investigated for corruption in a case related to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s visit to Romania in 2012. The Romanian Police is now searching for Ghita. The name of the former MP and information about him were introduced in the Romanian Police’s “Wanted” app, used by all the police units in the country. If authorities find proof that Ghita left the country, prosecutors will ask the court for an international arrest warrant. On December 21, 2016, Ghita didn’t go to a hearing at the National Anticorruption Directorate – DNA’s office in Ploiesti sending his lawyers instead. The investor has been missing ever since but has been periodically broadcasting videos at his own television channel, Romania TV. In these videos, Ghita has been claiming to possess proof related to alleged abuses by DNA chief prosecutor Laura Codruta Kovesi and the deputy director of the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) Florian Coldea. In one of the videos, Ghita says that In one of the videos, Ghita says that Coldea allegedly blackmailed former Prime Minister Victor Ponta to nominate Kovesi for the DNA chief prosecutor position, in 2013. In another recording, the fugitive investor claims that Kovesi directed him into setting up former media mogul Sorin Ovidiu Vintu, who was sent to court by DNA and sentenced to one year in prison for blackmailing Ghita, in 2012. According to Ghita, DNA and SRI wanted Vintu gone to get control of his TV station Realitatea TV. He also claims that he has had several meetings with Coldea and Kovesi at SRI safe houses, where CIA agents were also present. He also suggested that Kovesi may be working for the CIA. However, Ghita hasn’t presented any hard evidence to support his allegations. DNA and SRI haven’t made any comments on this matter so far. editor@romania-insider.com