Corrupt anti-Hungarian mayor escapes to Hungary

Romanian media is abuzz with the escape of Cătălin Cherecheș to Hungary.

Just a day before his dramatic flight, Cherecheș declared his innocence, vowing to do everything within his power to restore his family’s honour.

Dubious politics

Having served as the mayor of Baia Mare since 2011, Cherecheș secured re-election in both 2016 and 2020. He was notoriously anti-Hungarian, which he demonstrated on multiple occasions. One of his antics included draping Romanian flags over the Hungarian signage of a chimney cake stand during Baia Mare’s annual chestnut festival. Another notable incident involved his assertion that Hungarian children in Baia Mare would benefit more from attending a multilingual institution than having a separate Hungarian school.

He enjoyed the support of the majority of Baia Mare despite his aggressive politics and the corruption charges against him. These charges stated he allegedly accepted bribes and committed financial misconducts within a trading company, both of which are punishable by law.

Court sentence

Facing corruption accusations since 2016, Cherecheș appealed for a reduced sentence, but the Cluy County Court of Appeals not only rejected the plea but marginally extended the ban on him holding public office. The court seized his Porche Cayenne and two properties as compensation, imposing a fine of 65,000 Romanian lei or 5,000 EUR for damages. A judge involved in the case was subsequently targeted in an attempted bribe, leading to the arrest of Cherecheș’s mother-in-law for bribery.

Cherecheș has been placed under judicial supervision and was supposed to report to the police twice a week. His last visit occurred on the 20th of November. The court announced the final verdict on Friday, condemning Cherecheș to five years of prison time.

Daring escape

According to media reports, Cherecheș was seen entering and leaving the city hall in the early hours of Friday, after which he departed for the Csengersima- Pete border crossing were he slipped through the border using the passport of a maternal cousin. In the words of Cătălin Predoiu, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Cherecheș is “temporarily thwarting his criminal accountability.”

• Read more about Hungarians abroad HERE.
• Read more about foreigners in Hungary HERE.