Calin Georgescu, Romanian Far-Right Politician, Questioned by Prosecutors
Calin Georgescu, a far-right Romanian politician, was detained for questioning by prosecutors while headed to file his candidacy for the presidency. Supporters protested outside the prosecutor’s office, and allegations of election misconduct have surfaced following the annulment of the presidential election. A rerun is scheduled for May, amid broader issues involving potential foreign interference.
A far-right politician in Romania, Calin Georgescu, who previously won the first round of a canceled presidential election, was apprehended by police while driving and taken for questioning by prosecutors. His communication team confirmed on Facebook that he was en route to submit his new presidential candidacy when he was detained at the General Prosecutor’s Office.
The reasons behind Georgescu’s questioning remain unclear, and it is uncertain if he will face charges. Georgescu, age 62, expressed on social media that authorities are attempting to fabricate evidence to validate the election theft allegations against him. He urged his supporters to gather for a protest in Bucharest on Saturday.
In response to Georgescu’s situation, his supporters congregated outside the prosecutor’s office, displaying Romanian flags and chanting messages of support. Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu emphasized the judiciary’s independence and the necessity of applying the law uniformly.
The Romanian Constitutional Court annulled last year’s presidential election just two days prior to the runoff, following Georgescu’s unexpected first-round victory despite having minimal campaign activity. Allegations have surfaced regarding potential Russian interference and electoral misconduct.
In the wake of the controversy, widespread protests occurred in Bucharest in support of Georgescu, who maintains his innocence and claims the election cancellation was illegal. A rerun of the first election round is set for May 4, with a potential runoff scheduled for May 18 if no candidate achieves over 50% of the votes.
Georgescu’s questioning coincided with police executing 47 searches across various Romanian counties, related to his associates. Prosecutors have presented allegations including false statements regarding campaign financing and possession of illegal firearms, alongside forming an organization with fascist or xenophobic traits.
Past comments from Georgescu have drawn criticism, including remarks that venerated Romanian fascist leaders from the 1930s and 1940s as national heroes and his support for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The U.S. Trump administration has condemned Romania’s decision to cancel the election, with Vice President JD Vance asserting that the ruling stemmed from dubious suspicions and significant external pressures.
The recent questioning of far-right politician Calin Georgescu by Romanian prosecutors raises significant political tensions ahead of the rerun of the presidential election. Allegations of electoral misconduct and potential foreign interference complicate the political landscape. With protests in support of Georgescu, the situation exemplifies the challenges surrounding Romania’s democratic processes and the rule of law. Whether Georgescu will participate in the upcoming elections remains uncertain as investigations continue.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
