Basescu appeared before prosecutors for about 25 minutes and was informed about the blackmail probe initiated by Senator Gabriela Vranceanu Firea, a political rival, The Associated Press reported.
Prosecutors said Basescu asked to give his lawyers time to study the file. Some 20 protesters gathered outside the prosecutor's office yelling: "Basescu, to prison with you!" He was president from 2004 to 2014.
Last year, while Basescu was still president, Vranceanu Firea accused his elder daughter of fraud related to a property restitution case. Basescu then publicly warned Firea Vranceanu to "be careful," saying one day she might not find her husband at home.
