Presidential candidate arrested in Romania: 'They are trying to steal the election'

12punto FOREIGN NEWS

The Romanian elections held in December were declared invalid due to 'suspicious' Russian interference. Romanian prosecutors have launched an investigation into far-right leader Calin Georgescu regarding the presidential elections that were canceled last year, citing various charges including promoting antisemitism, spreading hate speech, and engaging in actions against the constitutional order.

According to Reuters, Georgescu opposed NATO and Western support for Ukraine. Moscow has denied allegations that it interfered in the elections. Prosecutors who initiated the investigation announced that Georgescu is being questioned on charges such as fraud in campaign financing, establishing an antisemitic organization, and supporting war criminals and fascist organizations.

Following hours of questioning on Wednesday, a formal investigation was opened against Georgescu. Prosecutors reported that they had raided the addresses of 47 individuals and associations linked to Georgescu. During the raids, a large quantity of weapons and hidden cash were seized.

Following the elections held in Romania, the government claimed that Russia had interfered and requested that the elections be declared invalid

DENIED THE CHARGES

Georgescu denied all charges against him, accusing the authorities of engaging in behavior reminiscent of the communist past. The opposition leader announced that he plans to submit his candidacy for the repeat of the presidential elections scheduled for May.

Making a statement on his Facebook account regarding the investigation opened against him, Georgescu used the following expressions:

'The communist Bolshevik system continues its disgusting abuse. They are trying to fabricate evidence to legitimize stealing the election and are making every effort to prevent my new candidacy.'

Approximately 100 Georgescu supporters gathered in front of the prosecutor's office in the capital, Bucharest, and held a protest with slogans of 'national unity.' Supporters cheered as Georgescu exited the building during the protest, which was also attended by far-right nationalist lawmakers.

Georgescu will be under judicial control for 60 days and will be required to report to the police at regular intervals.

REACTION FROM THE US TO THE ARREST

The Trump administration criticized Romania over the arrest of the opposition candidate. US Vice President JD Vance stated that the arrest meant that ''Romania does not share American values.''

Reacting to Georgescu's arrest, Elon Musk stated the following in a post on the social media platform X:

'They arrested the person who got the most votes in the Romanian presidential election. This is terrible.'

Georgescu has praised Romania's fascist leaders from the 1930s as patriots and martyrs. Expressing admiration for both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Georgescu remains the top choice for voters in public opinion polls. However, it remains unclear whether he will be able to run in the elections in May.