After a canceled election: arrested by the ex-presidential candidate in Romania

In Romania, the pro-Russian right-wing extremist and ex-presidential candidate Calin Georgescu was arrested. The confirmed Georgescus campaign team on his Facebook profile. Media reported, citing the public prosecutor, that he was released after five hours of interrogation under conditions.

Among other things, the public prosecutor accuses him of “inciting actions against the constitutional order”, distribution of false information, incorrect information on the election campaign financing, founding a fascist and anti-Semitic organization as well as public cult for crimes against humanity and for fascist and racist ideologies.

The public prosecutor does not give Georgescus names in its message about the allegations. TV pictures showed how Georgescu entered the public prosecutor’s building flanked by police officers. Hundreds of Georgescu supporters demonstrated in front of the public prosecutor’s building, during which it was interrogated for hours.

Choice must be repeated

Georgescu surprisingly won the first round of the presidential election in Romania on November 24th. Shortly before the runoff election, however, the constitutional court canceled the first round for irregularities in campaign financing. The choice must be repeated.

The public prosecutor’s office has been investigating Georgescu since December 2024. Romania’s secret services had also complained about Russia’s interference in Georgescu’s election campaign. Representatives of the Aur party, which supports Georgescu, expressed their solidarity after his arrest.

Also house searches for money and illegal weapons

In addition, dozens of house searches for supporters Georgescus took place, as the Attorney General reported in Bucharest. It is about the campaign financing and presumably illegal right-wing extremist propaganda. The investigators also looked for weapons. There was no official information about the result of these actions.

Media reported, citing non -mentioned investigators that the aim of the searches were foreign legionnaires with connections to Russia and Chechnya as well as their surroundings to which Georgescu had contact. Weapons were also found. It is generally known that Georgescu had rejected the state’s protection that was due to him as presidential candidate last autumn. Instead, he was guarded by the security company of a foreign legionnaire, whom the judiciary has long been targeting for illegal gun ownership.

Georgescu wants to run again in the new election on May 4th. The constitutional court still has to decide whether he is allowed. The last time for the approval of all candidates is March 15th.

Georgescu on Facebook, Romanian communication by the public prosecutor’s office for house searches, Romanian communication by the public prosecutor’s office for accusations, Romanian