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BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Anti-corruption prosecutors have detained a top Romanian media boss on suspicion of tax evasion and money laundering worth 3 million euros ($3.4 million.)
The anti-corruption department on Monday questioned and later detained Adrian Sarbu, managing director of Mediafax, the country's main private news agency. He will be held for 24 hours.
Sarbu called the case "a fabrication" and "ridiculous." He said he was being probed because the news agency did not support Prime Minister Victor Ponta who ran for president in November. He accused Ponta's allies of wanting to buy his news agency, which is seeking insolvency.
In recent months, a dozen Mediafax employees have been held on suspicion of the same charges.
Ponta lost the presidential runoff to Klaus Iohannis, a former mayor.
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