Bucharest Tribunal rejects mayor Ciprian Ciucu's appeal, judicial control remains in bribery case

Court ruling

The Bucharest Tribunal on 24 June 2026 dismissed the appeal filed by General Mayor Ciprian Ciucu against the preventive measure of judicial control. The ruling is definitive, meaning Ciucu remains under judicial control for 60 days from 18 June, the date prosecutors from the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) initially ordered the measure. Judge Cosmin Sterea Grossu, president of the tribunal, confirmed that the appeal was rejected as unfounded and that a subsidiary request to modify the obligations attached to judicial control was also denied.

Outside the courthouse, Ciucu refused to answer journalists’ questions.

“Just give me a moment... right now I feel a little attacked.”

The accusations

DNA prosecutors allege that between November and December 2025, during the mayoral election campaign, Ciucu received improper benefits (electoral advertising and consultancy services) from two businessmen, identified as M.N.K.A. and M.M., in exchange for issuing a building permit and an urbanism certificate for a real estate project in Bucharest’s Sector 6, where Ciucu was mayor at the time. A third businessman, S.I., is accused of facilitating the exchange. All three businessmen were also placed under judicial control on 18 June.

“They say, in a denunciation, that I would have known. I will find out more once I, together with my lawyers, have access to the file.”

Ciucu has denied the allegations. Journalist Denise Rifai was also questioned and later charged with instigation and complicity in bribery in the same case.

Political support and Ciucu’s defence

At the PNL congress on 21 June, Ciucu described the investigation as a "special operation" targeting the party.

“The same people who are pushing Adrian Veștea to form a government today are the same people who prepared the special operation I now have to face. And I will come with details. Speaking of Adrian Veștea, I think Adrian Veștea doesn't own himself.”

PNL president Ilie Bolojan declared full confidence in Ciucu and said he deserved the party’s solidarity. President Nicușor Dan, commenting separately, said he appreciated that there had been no leaks to the press, noting, "We no longer have wiretap transcripts from the files."

Case timeline

The DNA continues its investigation, and the judicial control measure requires Ciucu to report whenever summoned, to notify any change of address, and to stay within territorial limits set by the prosecutor without prior approval. Failure to comply could lead to house arrest or pre-trial detention.