Former priest Cristian Pomohaci arrested for 30 days on sexual offense charges, 2 million euros seized
Former priest Cristian Pomohaci was arrested for 30 days over alleged sexual offenses with minors. Târgu Mureș Court found 2 million euros in his home during investigations.
Cristian Pomohaci, a former priest defrocked by the Romanian Orthodox Church in 2017, was placed in preventive arrest for 30 days by the Târgu Mureș Court on Thursday evening. The court ruled on charges of rape and sexual assault of a minor, with alleged acts occurring over the last two years. Police seized approximately 2 million euros in various currencies during home perquisitions conducted in Târgu Mureș on June 3, when Pomohaci was initially detained for 24 hours.
Prosecutors requested the preventive arrest and continue their investigation. The court's decision is not final and can be contested within 48 hours. Pomohaci faces accusations of sexual offenses involving minors, charges that carry severe penalties under Romanian law.
The large sum of money found at his residence prompts questions about its origin and purpose, though prosecutors have not yet disclosed whether financial crimes are under investigation. The discovery of cash in multiple currencies occurred during the June 3 perquisitions. Police seized the money as part of the criminal inquiry.
The presence of such a substantial amount complicates a case already centered on grave allegations. Pomohaci's history with the Romanian Orthodox Church adds weight to the current proceedings. The church laicized him in 2017 following earlier accusations of sexual misconduct with minors, a rare institutional move that reflected the severity of those allegations.
The 2017 defrocking marked a significant moment for the Romanian Orthodox Church, an institution with deep social influence that seldom takes such public disciplinary action against clergy. That earlier scandal drew widespread attention, and Pomohaci's name remained associated with controversy even after his removal from the priesthood. The current charges represent a continuation of allegations that first surfaced years ago, though prosecutors have not indicated whether the new case is connected to the 2017 incidents.
Pomohaci was detained on June 3 and held for 24 hours before prosecutors presented their case to the Târgu Mureș Court. The court heard arguments on Thursday evening and issued the 30-day preventive arrest order. Romanian procedural law allows defendants to contest such orders within 48 hours, a right Pomohaci's legal team may exercise.
The appeal process would require judicial review of the detention's necessity and proportionality. The preventive arrest reflects prosecutors' assessment that detention is necessary to preserve the integrity of the investigation. Courts typically grant such requests when there is risk of flight, evidence tampering, or repeat offenses.
The 2 million euros found at Pomohaci's residence could factor into flight risk calculations, as such sums provide means for relocation. Prosecutors have not publicly detailed what evidence supports the rape and sexual assault charges, though the decision to seek preventive arrest suggests they consider the case substantial. The alleged acts occurred over the last two years, according to court filings.
Prosecutors have not disclosed the number of alleged victims or the specific circumstances of the offenses. Romanian law treats sexual offenses against minors with particular severity, and convictions can result in lengthy prison sentences. The investigation remains active, with prosecutors gathering evidence to support the charges.
The money seized during perquisitions may become part of a broader inquiry into Pomohaci's activities since his 2017 removal from the church. The case arrives at a moment when Romanian authorities face pressure to address sexual abuse cases more aggressively, particularly those involving minors. High-profile prosecutions test the judicial system's capacity to handle sensitive cases that intersect with religious institutions.
Pomohaci's previous defrocking demonstrated that the Romanian Orthodox Church, despite its traditional reluctance to publicize internal scandals, will act when allegations become impossible to ignore. Whether that 2017 action was sufficient, or whether earlier intervention could have prevented subsequent alleged offenses, remains an open question. The Târgu Mureș Court's decision places Pomohaci in detention pending trial or further judicial review.
If his legal team contests the arrest order, an appellate court will examine whether the preventive measure meets legal standards. That review could uphold the detention, modify its terms, or order release under judicial supervision. For now, Pomohaci remains in custody while prosecutors continue their work.
The perquisitions that uncovered the 2 million euros took place at Pomohaci's residence in Târgu Mureș. Police have not disclosed whether additional locations were searched or whether other individuals are under investigation. The money was found in various currencies, suggesting either international transactions or deliberate diversification of assets.
Prosecutors have not indicated whether money laundering or other financial offenses are being examined alongside the sexual offense charges. The 48-hour window for contesting the preventive arrest began when the court issued its decision Thursday evening. Pomohaci's defense has until Saturday evening to file an appeal.
Romanian procedural rules require appellate courts to rule on such contests promptly, typically within days. The outcome will determine whether Pomohaci remains in detention or returns to conditional liberty while the investigation proceeds. Prosecutors, meanwhile, face the task of building a case strong enough to withstand judicial scrutiny at trial.
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