More than 30 searches were carried out on August 3 at phantom and intermediary companies associated with the state-capital metals enterprise “Metalferos”, through which metals were bought. The actions were taken following the analysis of financial and legal documents, IPN reports. 

The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) said that 16 persons were arrested as a result of searches. Those arrested include four police officers of the Economic Frauds Investigation Division of the National Investigation Inspectorate.

The prosecutors seized objects and documents relevant to this case. The documents and the actions of the managers of these companies will be examined to determine the committed abuses that presumably caused considerable damage to public interests.

“We warn that any attack on the part of elements in relation to this case will be described as attempt to distort the investigation, hampering of the efforts to get at the truth and interference in the investigation process,” runs the press release of the PGO.

Recently, the Public Property Agency announced a new round to privatize state-owned public facilities, among which is “Metalferos”. The state owns 78.2% of the enterprise’s share capital or 281,065 shares. The nominal price of a share is 10 lei, while the initial selling price asked by the Agency is 3,230 lei.