Calin Georgescu Charged with Plotting a Coup in Romania

Background on Calin Georgescu

Calin Georgescu, a former presidential candidate from Romania’s far-right political spectrum, has been charged with conspiring to orchestrate a coup following the annulment of the first round of Romania’s presidential election last December. Georgescu’s unexpected rise to prominence came during the initial round of voting in November 2023, where he secured a surprising first place. However, this victory was short-lived, as the Constitutional Court annulled the results just days before the scheduled second round, citing allegations of foreign interference, particularly from Russia.

The Coup Plot Charges

In connection with the coup plot, Romanian prosecutors have also charged Horatiu Potra, a former French legionnaire and militia leader with ties to the Democratic Republic of Congo, along with 20 other individuals. The charges stem from a planned raid on Romania’s capital, Bucharest, which was thwarted by law enforcement on December 8, 2023. Prosecutors allege that the plot aimed to undermine Romania’s constitutional order, implicating Georgescu, Potra, and their associates, with suggestions of foreign intelligence involvement.

Potra and others have been accused of instigating the coup, while Georgescu faces charges of conspiring with Potra. The investigation revealed that Georgescu met with Potra and other members of the group at a horse farm shortly after the annulment of his election victory. Initially, Georgescu denied the meeting took place; however, he later acknowledged it after photographs surfaced in Romanian media. Despite this admission, he maintains that there were no discussions about staging an insurrection during that encounter.

Discovery of Weapons and Financial Assets

In late February 2024, Romanian police conducted a series of raids across multiple locations, uncovering a significant cache of weapons, gold, and cash. Authorities believe these items were intended to facilitate a violent power grab by Potra and his group. Notably, Potra is currently believed to be outside of Romania and may be seeking asylum in Russia.

Allegations of Foreign Interference

The backdrop to these events includes serious allegations of Russian interference in Romania’s electoral process. Romanian intelligence services have suggested that Georgescu’s unexpected popularity was artificially inflated through a mass influence operation originating from abroad. Prosecutor General Florenta characterized the annulled election as a product of a “hybrid war orchestrated by Russia.”

Investigators have revealed that cyberattacks targeting airports and public institutions coincided with a disinformation campaign that utilized troll farms, bots, and AI-generated content. Over 2,000 Facebook pages were reportedly employed to amplify pro-Georgescu messaging, while TikTok networks featuring more than 20,000 automated accounts promoted his campaign in the lead-up to the election.

Aftermath of the Election

Following Georgescu’s disqualification from running in the presidential election, his ally George Simion, the leader of the far-right AUR party, stepped in to replace him for the May rerun. Simion achieved a significant first-round victory but ultimately lost to Nicusor Dan, the liberal and pro-European Union mayor of Bucharest, in the runoff election.

Georgescu has yet to publicly comment on the charges against him. However, he has previously denounced the Romanian authorities, accusing them of governing through “deceit, intrigue, and division.”

Official Reactions

President Dan has weighed in on the situation, asserting that the prosecutor’s report serves as evidence of systematic disinformation efforts by Russia to influence the 2024 election in Romania. The implications of these allegations extend beyond Georgescu and Potra, raising concerns about the integrity of Romania’s democratic processes.

As of now, a trial date for Georgescu has not been established, though it could potentially commence in early 2026. The unfolding situation has heightened fears and anger among the Romanian populace, as many perceive it as a critical moment in the ongoing struggle for the country’s democratic integrity.

Key Facts

– **Calin Georgescu**, a former far-right presidential candidate in Romania, has been charged with conspiracy to stage a coup.
– **Horatiu Potra**, a former French legionnaire, and 20 others have also been charged in connection with the coup plot.
– The planned coup was foiled by police on **December 8, 2023**.
– Romanian prosecutors allege foreign intelligence involvement, particularly from **Russia**.
– A significant cache of weapons, gold, and cash was discovered during police raids in February 2024.
– The first round of the presidential election, in which Georgescu placed first, was annulled due to allegations of foreign interference.
– A trial date for Georgescu has not yet been set, but it may begin in early **2026**.

Source: www.bbc.com