Mihai Necolaiciuc Brought To Romania To Stand Trial

04.20.2011 By Bostan Radu

Romanian Mihai Necolaiciuc, wanted for embezzlement, was brought to Romania from the United States under police escort on Wednesday.

Romanian Mihai Necolaiciuc, wanted for embezzlement, was brought to Romania from the United States under police escort on Wednesday.

The decree turning Necolaiciuc over to Romanian authorities was signed by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, after Romania's general prosecutor Laura Kovesi went on an official visit to the United States.

On March 2, a U.S. court authorized the extradition of Necolaiciuc. Two weeks later, the U.S. Department of Justice informed the Romanian Justice Ministry that Necolaiciuc had chosen not to challenge the extradition decision.

The ministry said back then it sent three requests for Necolaiciuc's extradition, the latest on January 31, 2011, which was to be examined by U.S. authorities.

Necolaiciuc has been in custody since June 2009, when he was detained for residing illegally in the U.S. He is accused of having made unwarranted investments between 2000 and 2003, while he was the head of national railroad company CFR. He allegedly purchased products at overestimated prices, causing losses of around EUR50 million.