Several hundred supporters of far-right, pro-Russian Romanian politician and former presidential candidate, Călin Georgescu, have been protesting for five days in front of the Central Detention Center in Bucharest, where he is held.
Organizing through social media, Georgescu’s supporters have occupied the sidewalks and small parks in the area, chanting in favor of the politician accused of fraud, calling for his release.
The area is being closely monitored by gendarmes and police officers.
Those living in the nearby apartment buildings, however, have been complaining that they have had no peace since Georgescu was taken into custody. Students at the nearby college have also been affected.
“Colleagues from the Bucharest Gendarmerie have taken the necessary measures to maintain a safe environment, manage the flow of people and, very importantly, keep access routes clear, given that we are talking about a residential area. People who live there and who must be able to reach their homes, move around under normal conditions, and not have their daily lives affected,” said Police Chief Ramona Dabija, cited by TVRInfo.
Overall, police issued 98 fines worth roughly RON 84,500 to those who broke laws during the protest.
During their stay in front of the detention center, on Saturday, October 3, supporters of the former presidential candidate lit candles forming the initials of journalist Cristian Tudor Popescu, a staunch critic of the politician. They began singing “Eternal Memory,” usually sung for the deceased, and a video showed a woman accusing the journalist of “wanting Mr. Călin Georgescu dead.”
In reaction, Romanian president Nicușor Dan said that the incident was “unacceptable.”
“I consider the gestures directed against journalist Cristian Tudor Popescu and any attempt to turn a political disagreement into a tool of intimidation unacceptable. No journalist should ever become the target of threats, harassment or violence because of the opinions they express,” Nicușor Dan wrote on his Facebook page.
Călin Georgescu is accused of fraud with particularly serious consequences and of forming an organized criminal group. According to DIICOT prosecutors, businessman Răzvan Leu allegedly suffered losses of EUR 1.1 million following a precious metals deal and a loan that never materialized. Georgescu, along with businessman Ionel Rusen, was detained for 30 days starting on Tuesday, September 29.
Georgescu is also being investigated for legionary propaganda and an attempted coup in separate files.
The politician’s supporters, including those in the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians party (AUR), currently quoted with around 34% support among the public, believe Georgescu’s accusation is politically motivated.
On Monday, October 5, Georgescu’s father-in-law, Vasile Moldoveanu, arrived at the DIICOT center to be questioned as a witness in the fraud case. According to investigators, Răzvan Leu received RON 118,000 by bank transfer from Moldoveanu before the date set for him to appear before a mediator, on October 18, 2023, according to the report proposing Georgescu’s arrest.
Moldoveanu allegedly returned the money as a “loan” after Leu had sent him Georgescu’s bank account details, and Georgescu thanked him and told him, “I’ll be back soon,” referring to the payment of the money.
Călin Georgescu’s father-in-law is also expected to attend the forensic examination of the phone, according to G4media.ro information. The device was allegedly found and seized during searches of the Georgescu couple’s home in Mogoșoaia, where Vasile Moldoveanu also reportedly lives.
Cǎlin Georgescu was the surprise first-place finisher in the first round of Romania’s 2024 presidential election, which was annulled by the Constitutional Court.
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