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Romanian authorities have detained Călin Georgescu, a pro-Russia far-right presidential candidate after prosecutors began an investigation looking into his campaign following allegations of Russian interference, according to the Romanian news outlet Digi24.
Newsweek reached out to Georgescu’s team and Romania’s Public Ministry, which contains the Prosecutor’s Office, for comment via email outside of business hours.
Romanian people holding up signs and protesting presidential candidate Calin Georgescu’s detainment by authorities outside the General Prosecutor’s Office, in Bucharest, Romania, on February 26, 2025.
Vadim Ghirda/Associated Press
Why It Matters
There have been several warnings regarding potential Russian election interference from U.S. intelligence officials and Germany’s interior ministry in the last few months, according to Reuters.
If Russia is able to interfere in foreign elections, the ramifications would extend beyond the results of the Russia-Ukraine war and shape the sociopolitical and economic climates in various countries for decades to come.
What To Know
Georgescu was taken in for questioning by Romanian police after being stopped in traffic on Wednesday after the Prosecutor General’s Office announced that criminal proceedings concerning the candidate had begun.
The Romanian presidential candidate faces six charges including incitement to actions against the constitutional order, communication of false information, and false declarations in continuous form (regarding sources of financing of the electoral campaign and declarations of assets).
Georgescu has also been charged with initiating or establishing an organization with a fascist, racist or xenophobic character, promoting the cult of persons guilty of committing crimes of genocide against humanity and war crimes, and initiating or establishing an organization with an anti-Semitic character.
The presidential candidate’s detainment comes as Romanian authorities carry out 47 searches of Georgescu’s close associates.
Georgescu’s detainment followed President Klaus Iohannis’ declassification of intelligence documents that alleged that Russia orchestrated an election campaign to promote him on platforms such as TikTok and Telegram. Georgescu has previously denied any wrongdoing and said that his campaign was supported by “a network of Romanian volunteers.”
He is unaffiliated with any party and is a prominent critic of Bucharest’s pro-NATO and pro-Ukraine policy. Georgescu unexpectedly took the lead in the Romanian presidential election in late November 2024, after which Romania annulled the results of the first round of the election.
Bucharest has opted for a rerun of the first round of the election and ordered a recount. The second round of the Romanian presidential election was scheduled to take place in December but was voided. It is now scheduled to take place in May.
Georgescu received support from Vice President JD Vance and Tesla CEO Elon Musk prior to his detainment, as they criticized Romania’s decision to cancel the presidential election in December.
What People Are Saying
In a post on Facebook, Georgescu wrote: “The communist-Bolshevik system continues their hateful abuses! Today, at 6 o’clock in the morning, they again descended in dozens of locations over families, waking up children from their sleep. Seeks to fabricate evidence to justify election rigging and do anything to block my new presidential candidacy. Unsuccessful search for three months I, on behalf of my voters, but also of those who, although they have other political options, want a democratic and free Romania – I am fighting this security system that wants us in slavery. We live in communism, there is nothing free and legal in everything that is happening. I won’t give up, I rely on the support of you, everyone and I’ll be waiting for you on Saturday, in Piata Victorei!”
In a separate post a few hours later, Georgescu’s communications team wrote: “Călin Georgescu was going to submit his new candidacy for President. Just about now For 30 minutes the system stopped him in the traffic and he was raised for the hearing at the General Prosecutor’s Office! Where is democracy, where are the partners who must defend democracy?”
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Elon Musk wrote: “They just arrested the person who won the most votes in the Romanian presidential election. This is messed up.”
Romania’s Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu wrote on X: “The judiciary is independent & the law must be applied regardless of persons, while respecting all the fundamental rights & freedoms of citizens.”
What Happens Next
It is unknown whether or not Romania will find Georgescu guilty of the aforementioned charges. He maintains strong support, as people protesting his detainment have gathered outside of the Prosecutor General’s Office.
