Bucharest Mayor allowed vacation in Portugal despite judicial control

Bucharest Mayor Ciprian Ciucu has won a court battle to take a vacation in Portugal, despite being under judicial supervision. The Bucharest Tribunal allowed Ciucu to temporarily leave Romania for his holiday, overturning a decision by the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) that had barred his travel abroad.

The court's decision, which is final, permits Ciucu to travel between July 3 and July 12 for a pre-purchased vacation. The tribunal noted that Ciucu had bought his tourist package on June 10, before prosecutors placed him under judicial control on June 18. He will remain under judicial supervision for the remainder of the period set by the prosecutors.

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In the case file 26603/3/2026, the complaint filed by defendant C.C. against the Order dated 29.06.2026 issued by D.N.A. was admitted. The challenged order was annulled and, consequently, the defendant was permitted to temporarily leave the territory of Romania to travel to Portugal, in the interval 03.07.2026-12.07.2026, for the purpose of taking a vacation, according to the tourist package purchased on June 10, 2026. The solution is final.

Ciucu faces charges of accepting bribes from two Jordanian citizens. Prosecutors allege that during the November-December 2025 election campaign, he received undue benefits, including advertising and electoral consulting services, in exchange for issuing permits for a real estate project. The investigation reportedly began as part of a broader corruption inquiry.

The mayor has denied all accusations, asserting his innocence and stating he has nothing to hide. He expressed confidence in the process and pledged cooperation with prosecutors, though he acknowledged the difficult period his family is enduring. Ciucu remains under judicial control for 60 days.

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As far as I'm concerned, I am confident, I have nothing to hide, I cooperate with them (prosecutors - n.r.), I report for judicial control and we move forward. Obviously...