Former Presidential Candidate Călin Georgescu Detained in Romania
The Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) has detained former Romanian presidential candidate Călin Georgescu. This was reported by Digi24.
According to sources, the politician was detained while traveling in a car, after which he was taken to his home in a village near Bucharest. A search was to take place there in Georgescu's presence.
A DIICOT press release from September 21 states that prosecutors are conducting searches as part of a case involving the creation of an organized criminal group and fraud that led to serious consequences.
According to the investigation materials, in September 2021, two Romanian citizens and an Italian national created an organized group to defraud entrepreneurs. DIICOT does not name the suspects but reports that the group was led by a 64-year-old Romanian citizen. Georgescu is also 64 years old.
The investigation claims that the group leader presented two accomplices as successful businessmen and heads of foreign companies who allegedly had significant funds to provide loans to entrepreneurs who wanted to expand their business in Romania. A cash deposit was required to obtain the loan.
According to the case materials, the perpetrators convinced one of the entrepreneurs to transfer 1.1 million euros to them. In return, they promised to arrange a large loan from a foreign bank.
Earlier, investigations had already been launched against Georgescu on other charges, including an attempt to undermine the constitutional order, spreading false information, and creating an antisemitic organization.
Călin Georgescu, considered a right-wing populist, participated in the Romanian presidential elections in November 2024 as an independent candidate. He took first place in the first round, receiving 23% of the votes.
However, the Constitutional Court of Romania annulled the election results and scheduled a new vote. The reason was suspicions of Russian interference in the electoral process. Romanian special services published documents according to which about 25,000 bot accounts on TikTok could have been campaigning in favor of Georgescu.
The politician himself denied any connection to Russia.
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