Romanian far-right leader trial adjourned

(BUCHAREST) - The trial of Romanian far-right leader and MEP Corneliu Vadim Tudor charged with assaulting police during an eviction operation has been adjourned to September 29, a court ruled Tuesday.

Both Tudor, who sent word to the judges he was attending a funeral, and his lawyer were absent at Tuesday's hearing.

In January, Tudor had opposed the eviction of his Greater Romania Party (PRM) from its headquarters by perpetrating "threats and physical violence against a bailiff and two policemen", prosecutors said.

The MEP denied all accusations, alleging he was victim of "political persecution".

His party had been ordered several times to leave the premises it occupied in a residential area of Bucharest, an elegant villa restored to its former owner under a final court decision.

Facing libel charges in several law suits and known for his racist and xenophobic remarks, Tudor failed to take his party into the Romanian parliament in 2008, but was elected a Member of the European Parliament one year later.