Extraditions can be carried out both based on treaties and bilaterally, Minister of Internal Affairs Catalin Predoiu said on Monday, when asked about the case of Horatiu Potra, who is wanted after the Supreme Court ordered, on Saturday, the issuance of an arrest warrant in absentia for him.

„It is a matter that concerns the state institutions, not PNL [National Liberal Party], we do not comment on Justice cases here, it is the minister of Justice who knows very well how the extradition procedures work. I have expertise, I know how to respond, but we are at PNL. All I can tell you is that there are extradition procedures based on treaties as well as bilaterally. Extraditions are carried out both bilaterally and negotiations are initiated by the minister of Justice of each country for such extraditions based on mutual, bilateral agreements. This is a matter for the minister of Justice,” explained Predoiu, a former minister of Justice, after a meeting of the PNL leadership.

The Romanian Police announced that Horatiu Potra, his son Dorian Potra and a relative of theirs, Alexandru Potra, have been placed on the wanted list after the Supreme Court issued arrest warrants in absentia for their names.

Horatiu Potra has left the country and is believed to be in Dubai.

Also on Saturday, the High Court of Cassation and Justice (ICCJ) decided the preventive arrest of 16 other people, while two were placed under house arrest.

On March 26, investigators carried out 47 searches in the counties of Sibiu, Mures, Timis, Ilfov and Cluj, in a case related to the financing of the electoral campaign, the establishment of an organisation with fascist, racist, or xenophobic characteristics, as well as the promotion of the cult of persons guilty of committing genocide crimes.

In the homes used by Potra and his associates, a military arsenal was found: 10 defensive grenades, 19 offensive grenades, a grenade launcher, 15 pistols, 6 submachine guns, a machine gun, hundreds of cartridges, and explosive materials.

Additionally, in a safe hidden under the floor of the house, stacks of money and gold bars were found.

Prosecutors say that Horatiu Potra and his group of mercenaries were aiming to infiltrate protests organised immediately after the cancellation of the elections, in order to create chaos.

The action plan was allegedly devised by Calin Georgescu and his associates during a clandestine meeting at the farm in Ciolpani, shortly after the cancellation of the presidential elections.

AGERPRES