Romania’s Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling today that sentenced former Romanian Prime Minister Adrian Nastase to two years in jail on corruption charges. The occasion marks the first time a high profile Romanian politician will serve time in prison since the fall of communism.

Nastase served as prime minister from 2000-2004. In his bid for reelection in 2004, prosecutors later alleged Nastase used approximately $2 million in state funds to help finance his election campaign.

Nastase eventually lost the election to Traian Basescu, who is Romania’s current president. Nastase has said the allegations of corruption, which surfaced in 2006, are politically motivated.

http://www.reportingproject.net/occrp/index.php/en/ccwatch/cc-watch-briefs/1565-romania-former-pm-nastase-sentenced-to-prison