Romanian Prosecutor’s Office Detains 18 Suspects Linked to Pro-Russian Politician Georgescu
Romania's General Prosecutor's Office has detained 18 people in a case related to pro-Russian politician and former presidential candidate Calin Georgescu, Digi 24 and Romania Journal report.
The prosecutor's office filed a motion for 30-day detention for 18 detainees, as well as in absentia for three more.
Among them are Horatiu Potra, the leader of a group of Romanian mercenaries, his son and brother. They were charged with attempting to overthrow the constitutional order, violating the rules of arms possession and incitement to crime. Potra reportedly managed to leave the country after the searches.
The case also involves a former Foreign Legion mercenary, Eugene Sechila, who was arrested at Henri Coanda International Airport.
On Wednesday, the prosecutor's office conducted 47 searches in five counties of the country, including the homes of 27 people and four offices of companies associated with Georgescu's associates, including Horatiu Potra.
The searches revealed a large arsenal of weapons, including dozens of lethal weapons, magazines, grenades, grenade launchers and machine guns. Significant amounts of cash were also found - $3.3 million, 700 thousand lei and 24 kilograms of gold bullion.
As part of the investigation, the prosecutor's office is also looking into the creation of an anti-Semitic organisation, crimes against the constitutional order, false information about the sources of campaign funding and public incitement to a crime.
Georgescu, who was brought in for questioning on Wednesday in the human trafficking case, is accused of acting against the constitutional order, spreading false information and concealing sources of campaign funding. He stated that the investigation against him ‘reminds me of the communist system of the 1950s’.
As The Gaze reported, on 24 November 2024, Romania held the first round of the presidential election, in which the little-known far-right pro-Russian politician Calin Georgescu won the most votes.
On 6 December, the Romanian Constitutional Court cancelled the results of the first round after allegations that Russia had conducted a coordinated online campaign to promote the winning candidate.