Rareș Bogdan questioned at DNA Iași as witness in Fănel Bogos corruption probe

Questioning at DNA Iași

Romanian Member of the European Parliament Rareș Bogdan appeared at the National Anticorruption Directorate territorial office in Iași on Thursday, 8 October 2026. Bogdan arrived by taxi around 13:00 to give testimony as a witness after his name surfaced in wiretaps attached to a criminal file. Speaking to reporters before entering, the former National Liberal Party first vice president stated that he was not nervous about the appearance. Questioning concluded around 14:33, after which Bogdan described the session as a civilized exchange between investigators and a person mentioned in a case file. He confirmed that he answered all questions posed by both prosecutors and defense lawyers, describing the atmosphere to journalists outside the building.

It was an absolutely normal, civilized discussion between state representatives and a man who was mentioned, to find out a few details. I offered them with complete openness. I also answered questions from the lawyers of the parties in the case.

Contact with veterinary director

Bogdan explained that investigators questioned him regarding a prior discussion with Mihai Ponea, the director of the Vaslui Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Directorate. The meeting took place at Bogdan's home while he was rushing to catch a flight to the airport, lasting between 20 and 30 minutes, with Bogdan also citing a specific duration of 24 minutes. He noted that during his tenure in party leadership and as a member of the European Parliament Committee on Petitions, he routinely listened to complaints regarding potential administrative abuses. Bogdan maintained that he gave no instructions on the matter and told Ponea to continue doing his job. He added that he possessed no expertise in poultry operations, remarking that the only company in the sector he recognized was Transavia in Alba County, managed by businessman Popa.

We spoke, the man explained it to me, I said, okay, I do not really know much about eggs and chickens, but I listened to what I was told.

Scope of the Bogos investigation

The inquiry centers on Fănel Bogos, the administrator of a Vaslui County poultry farming company, who faces investigation for instigation to blackmail and buying influence. Prosecutors allege that Bogos attempted to orchestrate Ponea's removal from DSVSA Vaslui by seeking interventions from figures with political and administrative influence. The probe, revealed in November 2025, examines an influence network involving politicians, military reservists, and former intelligence service generals. Other individuals named in the file include former PNL Vaslui leader Mihai Barbu and former deputy secretary-general of the government Cristina Trăilă, who has been under criminal investigation by DNA since August 2026. Dismissed prime minister Ilie Bolojan also gave witness testimony at DNA Iași on 2 October 2026 regarding an audience he had granted to Bogos.

Criticisms and cathedral pilgrimage

After leaving the DNA offices, Bogdan publicly criticized PNL president and dismissed prime minister Ilie Bolojan for declining to answer journalists' questions following Bolojan's own witness hearing. Bogdan drew a sharp contrast between his willingness to address the press and Bolojan's decision to avoid reporters outside the prosecutor's office, addressing the prime minister directly. Following his remarks to the media, Bogdan announced that he would attend the annual pilgrimage of Saint Parascheva in Iași. Over 11,000 pilgrims were waiting in line outside the Metropolitan Cathedral in Iași to venerate the holy relics. Local authorities closed streets surrounding the cathedral complex to vehicular traffic as pilgrims gathered during favorable weather.

I would have liked to see the dismissed prime minister also talking to you, in a civilized manner, answering questions. I do not understand why he does this. He has no relationship with the press, he defies it.