Former Iași mayor convicted of rape brought from Italy to serve 19-year sentence

Transfer from Italy

On 15 August 2026, Romanian Police transferred Ionel Onofraș from Italy to Romania to begin serving his prison sentence. The 68-year-old, from Rediu commune in Iași county, had been listed on the Most Wanted international fugitive register after authorities failed to find him at his domicile when they moved to enforce the court's ruling. Upon arrival, he was handed over to Romanian authorities and placed in a detention facility to begin serving his sentence of 19 years and 4 months for rape and sexual assault. The Iași County Police Inspectorate confirmed that the person was handed over following cooperation through the International Police Cooperation Center within the General Inspectorate of Romanian Police. Romanian authorities finalized the procedures for both his return and the execution of his sentence.

“On 15 August 2026, the Romanian Police brought back to the country a 68-year-old man from Iași, internationally wanted in the MOST WANTED category. He was sentenced to 19 years and 4 months in prison for committing the crimes of rape and sexual assault.”

The crimes and sentence

Onofraș was convicted of rape and continued sexual assault against four minors. According to investigators, he approached the girls under the pretext of fashion collaborations and photo sessions, inviting them to his photo studio where the abuse occurred. The girls were reportedly invited to pose as photo models. Onofraș received his final sentence of 19 years and 4 months in April 2026, a term described in local press as nearly 20 years. However, enforcement of the sentence was blocked when he could not be located at his registered address, prompting authorities to place him on the Most Wanted international fugitive list.

Arrest in Italy

On 30 April 2026, Onofraș was located and arrested on Italian territory in an operation conducted by officers from the Iași County Police Inspectorate's Criminal Investigations Service, specifically the Fugitive Tracking Bureau, in cooperation with Italian authorities. The operation was supported by a prosecutor from the Prosecutor's Office attached to the Iași Court of Appeal. Information exchange and cooperation with Italian authorities were facilitated through two channels: the Internal Affairs Attaché Office in Italy and the SIRENE Romania Office. Following the arrest on 30 April, Italian authorities processed the necessary surrender procedures. The transfer back to Romania was completed on 15 August 2026, when Onofraș was placed in a detention unit to begin serving his sentence.

Political background

Onofraș served as mayor of Iași for approximately two months following the December 1989 Revolution, holding the position until February 1990. He was the first mayor of the city after the Revolution, appointed during the transition period that followed the fall of the communist regime in Romania. His brief tenure ended in February 1990, after which he returned to private life in Rediu commune, Iași county. Nearly four decades later, the former mayor now faces the execution of a prison sentence for crimes committed against minors.