Romanian oil company Rompetrol has sued the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) for eavesdropping on its chairman Dinu Patriciu and other managers for an undetermined period that may have lasted years, a company press release announced.

Company law representatives say the phone tapping breached the current legislation related to criminal inquiries and the national security in a serious, repeated and irresponsible manner. That is why Rompetrol is due to file a case February 15, claiming USD 1 million in moral compensations.

Other compensations may be requested as the material prejudice resulting from the eavesdropping activities are evaluated.

The decision comes as Romanian intelligence services have reacted in disunity and confusion to media and official reports that the Dinu Patriciu’s phone conversations were tapped.