Romanian Politician and Former Drilling Equipment Plant Director Detained in Probe Into Machine Tool Shipment to Belarus

Reform.news Editorial Team · 1 October 2026, 10:53

https://reform.news/en/romanian-politician-and-former-drilling-equipment-plant-director-detained-in-probe-into-machine-tool-shipment-to-belarus/

Romanian authorities have detained Alexandru Munteanu, deputy head of the Save Romania Union (USR) party organisation in Dâmbovița County, and Evgenii Poliakov, former director of drilling equipment manufacturer UPET. G4Media reported this, citing sources.

According to the outlet, the detentions took place on the morning of Thursday, October 1. The case is being handled by Romania’s Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT).

G4Media’s sources claim that Munteanu and other individuals involved in the case attempted to ship a VL40 vertical lathe worth approximately €1.7 million to Belarus through intermediaries. Such equipment can be used to manufacture military equipment.

Prosecutors are investigating alleged violations and circumvention of international sanctions imposed by the European Union, as well as the sale, transfer and export of dual-use goods.

According to information from the Trade Register cited by G4Media, Munteanu is a co-owner of two companies. Sources cited by the outlet say that one of them is involved in the transaction under investigation.

USR said that Munteanu is a member of the Târgoviște local council and deputy head of the party organisation in Dâmbovița County. He holds Romanian and Moldovan citizenship.

“If the allegations brought against him by DIICOT are confirmed, measures provided for in the party’s statutes will be taken, up to and including his expulsion from USR,” the party said in a statement.

USR also noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed by party representative Oana Țoiu, initiated legislation introducing criminal liability for violations of embargoes and the circumvention of international sanctions, including restrictions against Russia.

UPET is a company based in the Romanian city of Târgoviște that manufactures mobile drilling rigs, well-servicing rigs and other oil and gas equipment. The company also provides maintenance and modernisation services, according to its official website.

The G4Media report does not specify Poliakov’s role or say that UPET was involved in the alleged shipment. The recipient of the machine tool in Belarus has also not been identified.