When the world gets closer.

We help you see farther.

Sign up to our expressly international daily newsletter.

Already a subscriber? Log in .

You've reached your limit of one free article.

Get unlimited access to Worldcrunch

You can cancel anytime .

SUBSCRIBERS BENEFITS

Exclusive International news coverage

Ad-free experience NEW

Weekly digital Magazine NEW

9 daily & weekly Newsletters

Access to Worldcrunch archives

Free trial

30-days free access, then $2.90
per month.

Annual Access BEST VALUE

$19.90 per year, save $14.90 compared to monthly billing.save $14.90.

Subscribe to Worldcrunch
Geopolitics

Romanian Telenovela: Was Ex Prime Minister’s Suicide Attempt A Ruse To Avoid Prison?

Worldcrunch

ADEVARUL, ANTENA 3, ZIARE.COM (Romania)

BUCHAREST - Former Prime Minister Adrian Nastase remains in a hospital room in the Romanian capital. His aides say the 62-year-old is recovering – gradually -- from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the neck in a June 20 suicide attempt gone awry after having been sentenced to prison on corruption charges. On Sunday night, his son went on national television to read what was meant to be a farewell note from the man who led Romania from 2000 to 2004.

But a growing number of people in Romania are questioning whether there was even a suicide attempt, and want to know more about Nastase's actual condition. Prosecutors who convicted him on charges of illegally financing a presidential bid want the white-haired pol taken to prison, where he would be Romania's most senior official to serve time in prison since the 1989 fall of communism.

According to Bucharest daily Adevarul, respected former Justice Minister Monica Macovei said that Nastase had been convicted by the courts, and authorities should carry out the sentence.

Meanwhile a group of young people have organized protests in front of Nastase's house, wearing fancy scarves around their necks in an apparent mocking of the ex PM did the same when he was taken to Floreasca hospital in stifling heat.

The drama took a new twist on Sunday when his son Andrei read a letter on a leading Romanian TV channel, Antena 3, in which the ex PM wrote that he wanted his son "to be happy, to have a beautiful family and never to get into politics," according to the website Ziare.com." Nastase's son then publicly asked that his father's sentence be commuted, which can only happen with a decree by Traian Basescu, the current Romania President and declared enemy of Nastase.

Nastase had appealed a March 30 court ruling that sentenced him to jail for illegally raising funds for a failed presidential campaign, but the Supreme Court upheld the sentence.

Nastase was well known for his high-roller habits, with a taste for large game hunting and multiple properties in Romania and abroad. During his tenure, he was an ardent ally of U.S. President George W. Bush, notably during the lead-up to the war in Iraq.

Nastase and Bush in the White House

You've reached your limit of free articles.

To read the full story, start your free trial today.

Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime.

Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.

Insights from the widest range of perspectives, languages and countries.

This Happened — September 22: Andrea Bocelli Was Born

Famous Italian opera singer and songwriter Andrea Bocelli was born on this day in 1958, in Lajatico, in the Italian region of Tuscany. He is renowned for his powerful and emotive voice, and he has achieved worldwide recognition for his contributions to classical and pop music.

Get This Happened straight to your inbox ✉️ each day! Sign up here.

Keep reading...Show less

The latest