Arrested Romanian ex-Minister Wants to Wallpaper her Cell

W460

A former Romanian tourism minister in detention on corruption charges has asked to be allowed to wallpaper and paint her cell walls.

Marius Stribulea, lawyer to Elena Udrea, said his client, one of the most influential Romanian politicians in the past decade, wanted to renovate her current accommodation.

"As you know the conditions are not the best," he said Tuesday. Mediafax reported that the flamboyant 41-year-old politician wanted to wallpaper her cell walls, as well as paint the bars and radiator.

Stribulea said Bucharest police will examine the request, but it appeared her desires won't be met: A court ruled late Tuesday that Udrea would be put under house arrest while being investigated.

Udrea was arrested last week for 30 days on charges of influence peddling, taking bribes and money laundering. She denies wrongdoing.

She was criticized for her close ties with Traian Basescu, Romania's president from 2004 to 2014. She ran for president in November elections, finishing fourth.

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