Romanian priest and filmmaker Ciprian Mega faces trial for alleged arson and fraud

Three men - Ciprian Mega, a priest who also directed a film featuring Alain Delon, Dumitru Popescu, a priest residing in France, and Aurel Gurău, a local police officer and church cantor - have been formally charged by prosecutors in Bihor. The indictment alleges that the trio coordinated the arson of a Mazda belonging to the firm run by Mega's spouse, using gasoline bought beforehand, and that Mega supplied material and moral support for the act and its media exploitation.

The case also includes accusations that Mega secured a medical leave on the basis of a falsified diagnosis and that he posted a non-public witness statement on Facebook. The incident occurred in the early hours of February and was linked to an ongoing dispute between Mega and the Oradea Orthodox Diocese. Mega was suspended from his parish duties earlier this year.