site.btaFormer Romanian Presidential Candidate Georgescu Charged with Complicity in Attempt to Carry Out Actions against Constitutional Order

Former Romanian presidential candidate Calin Georgescu has been sent to trial on charges of complicity in an attempt to carry out actions against the constitutional order and spreading false information, reported Agerpres on Tuesday. A total of 22 people are charged in the same case, including Horatiu Potra – a former member of the French Foreign Legion.

According to prosecutors, Potra and his group of mercenaries intended to infiltrate the protests organized immediately after the annulment of the presidential elections in December 2024, in order to cause chaos in Bucharest. The plan of action was allegedly developed by Georgescu himself and his close associates during a secret meeting held on December 7 at an equestrian base in Ilfov, prosecutors claimed.

According to sources cited by Digi 24, the men coordinated by Potra set off in their personal vehicles from various locations around Bucharest in order to avoid detection by the police. The plan was for them to arrive in the Romanian capital, where hotel rooms near University Square had been reserved for them. Authorities were aware of these plans and intercepted the men on their way to Bucharest.

Earlier this year, former presidential candidate Calin Georgescu was charged with six offenses, including preparing a plan to destabilize Romania and taking actions against the constitutional order. Later, a seventh charge was added – for promoting Legionary propaganda.

As part of the judicial control measures imposed on him, Georgescu is subject to several restrictions, including a ban on leaving the country without the permission of judicial authorities and a prohibition on publishing content with Legionary, fascist, antisemitic, racist, or xenophobic character on social media.

The former presidential candidate recently announced his withdrawal from political life. In November 2024, he received the most votes in the first round of the presidential elections. However, the vote was annulled by the Constitutional Court on the grounds that there was compelling evidence of foreign interference in the electoral process. It is alleged that Georgescu’s candidacy - he is known as a far-right nationalist with anti-European and anti-NATO rhetoric - was backed by Russian interference and a hybrid influence campaign on TikTok.