Romanian authorities said on Monday, September 29, that mercenary leader Hora\u021biu Potra and his son have been arrested in Dubai and will face extradition proceedings to Romania, after being on the run for months under an international arrest warrant.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Justice in Bucharest confirmed that officials in the United Arab Emirates had taken custody of Hora\u021biu Potra and two other relatives on September 24 at Romania\u2019s request, Europa Liber\u01ce Romania<\/a> reported. One of the other two men is reportedly Potra’s son.<\/p>\n \u201cToday, September 29, senior officials of the Ministry of Justice held talks via videoconference with their counterparts in the United Arab Emirates. During the discussions, UAE authorities confirmed the arrest, at Romania\u2019s request, of Romanian citizens P.H., P.A.C., and P.D., who are currently on the territory of that state. The individuals remain in custody as judicial extradition proceedings move forward,\u201d reads the ministry\u2019s press release<\/a>.<\/p>\n Romanian justice officials described the detentions as \u201ca success\u201d achieved alongside other state institutions, but declined to give further details, citing the sensitivity of ongoing extradition procedures.\u00a0<\/p>\n The ministry added that the talks also covered future bilateral agreements on judicial cooperation in criminal matters and extradition.<\/p>\n Officially\u00a0indicted this month alongside former presidential candidate C\u0103lin Georgescu<\/a>, Hora\u021biu Potra faces charges of attempting to overthrow Romania\u2019s constitutional order. Prosecutors accuse him and about 20 alleged mercenaries of plotting violent unrest in Bucharest following\u00a0the annulment of the 2024 presidential elections<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n The indictment also includes charges of illegal possession of weapons and explosives, unlawful use of pyrotechnics, and public incitement.<\/p>\n Investigators said, among other things, that Potra\u2019s paramilitary convoy of seven vehicles\u00a0attempted to enter Bucharest<\/a>\u00a0to spark mass protests and clashes with security forces after last year’s election annulment.<\/p>\n The extradition proceedings in Dubai are expected to continue in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n irina.marica@romania-insider.com<\/p>\n