Paul Philippe

Dozens of Romanian lawyers protested at Bucharest's High Court on Monday against the conviction of a lawyer for his "direct involvement in sealing contracts" and "transmitting notifications" on behalf of a self-styled Romanian prince convicted and sentenced last week over a fraudulent restitution of land.

Israeli billionaire Benjamin Steinmetz, who has strong business ties to the Balkans, was detained for questioning alongside three other businessmen on Monday for allegedly using fake contracts to move and launder money in connection with an iron-mining operation in Guinea.