Romanian prosecutors charge far-right ex-presidential candidate over alleged coup plot
Calin Georgescu accused of conspiring with a militia leader in a plan that included a foiled December raid on Bucharest and alleged foreign intelligence links
Romanian prosecutors have charged far-right former presidential candidate Calin Georgescu with conspiring to stage a coup after the annulment of last year’s presidential election, naming a former French legionnaire and militia chief and more than 20 others in the case.
Prosecutors say the case centers on a planned raid on Bucharest on Dec. 8 that police foiled and on meetings held in the weeks after the first round of the vote was annulled. Horatiu Potra, described by investigators as a former French legionnaire who led a militia in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and 20 other people have been charged with instigating the attempted coup; Georgescu is accused of conspiring with Potra and members of his group.
Authorities say Georgescu met Potra and other members of the group at a horse farm in December, shortly after the Constitutional Court annulled his surprise first-place finish in last November’s first round. Georgescu initially denied that the meeting took place but later admitted to attending after photographs were published in Romanian media; he denies discussing plans to stage an insurrection, prosecutors said.
Police raids in late February uncovered a cache of weapons, gold and cash that prosecutors say were to be used in a violent power grab. Investigators also allege links between the group and foreign intelligence services; Potra is currently believed to be outside Romania and may be seeking asylum in Russia, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Prosecutor General Florenta described the annulled 2024 election as "the result of a hybrid war orchestrated by Russia," saying the agency’s probe found coordinated cyberattacks on airports and public institutions that coincided with an online disinformation campaign. Investigators alleged the campaign amplified pro-Georgescu messaging through more than 2,000 Facebook pages and TikTok networks of more than 20,000 automated accounts, as well as troll farms, bots and AI-generated content.
Romanian intelligence services had flagged a mass influence operation conducted from abroad that they say boosted Georgescu’s online presence and popularity in the run-up to the vote. The Constitutional Court annulled the first-round result just days before the second round was due to take place amid those allegations of interference.
After Georgescu was barred from registering as a candidate in the rerun, his ally George Simion, leader of the far-right AUR party, stood in his place for the May rerun. Simion won the first round of the rerun but was ultimately defeated in the run-off by Nicusor Dan, the pro-European mayor of Bucharest.
Georgescu, 63, has not issued a public comment on the new charges. Earlier this month he accused Romanian authorities of ruling through "deceit, intrigue and division," prosecutors noted. President Nicusor Dan said the prosecutors’ report was "proof" that Russia had exercised "systematic disinformation" in Romania and had attempted to influence the 2024 election.
A date for Georgescu’s trial has not yet been set; prosecutors said the case could come to trial in early 2026. The charges mark a significant escalation in investigations into the turbulent election season and conspiracies that authorities say threatened Romania’s constitutional order.