A businessman demands 3.4 million euros in damages after an investigation Background about the development of a golf course in Sibiu/ DNA investigates the case, the State wants to recover the money/ What the journalists say

A businessman from Sibiu is demanding compensation of 3.4 million euros from a publication in Romania, announces the international investigative network OCCRP (Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project), of which the publication is a part. Context.ro journalists have published several press inquiries about a golf course that should have been developed in Sibiu with 2 million euros, money from the EU.

Businessman Jugen Faff sued the journalists, claiming the articles damaged his reputation and business, and says he lost a lucrative aviation contract because of the journalists’ inquiries. According to the OCCRP, Faff is also asking for 100,000 euros, citing the psychological suffering caused by the journalistic investigations.

Attila Biro, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of Context.ro, said that it is a classic case of SLAPP (attempt to intimidate and harass journalists by suing, ed.), and journalists will continue to follow the funds public and “make those responsible answer for the loss of hard-earned money of EU citizens”.

Context.ro claims to have discovered that, despite substantial investments of 2 million euros of European money, the golf course that was to be developed in Sibiu county remained a simple project. The investigation revealed that the beneficiary of these substantial investments was a company owned by none other than Jurgen Faff.

Following the Context.ro investigation, DNA opened a criminal case, and the Romanian Government won a lawsuit for the recovery of the funds allocated for the construction of the golf course, OCCRP also writes. Read here the full investigation for which the businessman is demanding 3.4 million euros in compensation.